Vox Pop
Continuing the debate about moving to a new ground...
Ian Lathwell
My view on the much-talked-about move from Loftus Road is that I'm all in favour of it, but at the right time. I've seen a few of the new grounds, such as Pride Park in Derby, and they look great, making me think I wish we had a ground like that. But, ultimately, there is no point having a 35,000-seat stadium in Uxbridge (or wherever) if we're in the First Division. We must get the team right, get the stadium sold out every single game, and then think about moving. If we do move, however, let's not give our new stadium a cheesy name - e.g. The Stadium of Light. And one other point- won't it make the PLC name a little redundant...?
Here are ten reasons why we need a bigger ground:
1) Sooner or later the big boys will put a ground-size stipulation on Premiership admission.
2) Gates are rising - yes, even ours: look back a decade if you don't believe me.
3) It's all about thinking big if you want to succeed. Young fans want to be associated with BIG things.
The media only cover big or controversial issues.
4) It could help develop an enlarged geographical fan base and attract new support.
5) The chance to develop a site which earns additional revenue above football.
6) We might even get seats where your knees aren't wedged into someone's shoulder blades.
7) The ball will get kicked out of the ground less often.
8) No more dodging the dog shit minefield down Loftus Road.
9) The club would have more identity being further away from so many other clubs, something
Crystal Palace enjoy in their part of London.
10)There is a building height restriction at Loftus Road - Ellerslie cannot be made higher
(ie two-tier). The houses that surround two sides of the ground used to be owned by QPR
but were sold off, as we weren't allowed to develop the ground at the expense of housing,
and the school is a listed building.
But my heart will miss Loftus Road, and for some it will be an inconvenient journey. But heads must rule hearts: LET'S GO...!
I am a life-long Rangers supporter (30+ years) and am a season ticket holder, who comes regularly to Loftus Road from the Oxford area. In all the time I have supported Rangers (I used to be local up till I was in my twenties), Loftus Road has always been the spiritual home. I can understand the powers-that-be want to relocate Rangers to a new stadium. However, you only have to look at Wimbledon to see that local support and goodwill is lost when a club moves. I hope the Rangers board sees reason and stays at Loftus Road, whilst looking to develop the ground and facilities instead of looking for a new location, as a move may not get the expected results (increase in crowds). In fact the complete opposite could happen.
I haven't given the proposed move too much thought, and I can't see it happening in the foreseeable future if we're supposed to be playing to full houses before we even consider it. Last time we had healthy attendances like that, we were at the top of the league, and that seems a world away at the moment. If Chris Wright thinks that a move out to the North West suburbs is a good idea, my gut reaction is that he's wrong. Although we are a nomadic club (know your history), Shepherd's Bush has been home for long enough now, and a move to Hillingdon, or wherever he's thinking of, whilst probably a potentially good catchment area for the club, may well alienate a lot of existing regulars. The experiences of other clubs who've moved around in recent years has generally shown that it can be a difficult rebirth. Livingstone nee Meadowbank Thistle spring to mind; and Charlton, Wimbledon and Brighton fans, whilst admittedly all ground-sharers at one time or another, would testify to the unpopularity of moving. Then again, I could be wrong. It could all work out swimmingly, and we'll all want to travel to see a successful team.
I'm for - purely for selfish reasons. Not living in London, I find Loftus Road a real pain to get to and so hardly ever go to home games. A move closer to the M25 would make things much easier for me. Also, I grew up in the Eastcote/Ruislip area and know there is quite a large potential support out there - lots of people with a bit of cash to spend on a decent day out at the match. I don't find the `let's stay in lovely Shepherd's Bush' argument too convincing, because - to be honest - I don't much like the place. Can't say I like London as a place much full-stop - except the blue and white hooped bits...
Loftus Road has a catchment area of, I would reckon, at least 4,000,000 people who can get to Shepherds or White City from their homes within 45 minutes, either by public or private transport. If you can't sell seats to 15,000 home fans every game with that kind of situation, then what are you going to achieve becoming Yeading Park Rangers and losing whatever unique identity QPR has...?
