R's on The Road.......... To Bristol City

On this coming Tuesday night QPR supporters once again find themselves on the road to the west country for the third time in a week. This time it’s a shorter trip down the M4 to Bristol City as Rangers look to overcome the disappointment from Saturday’s game down in Plymouth. Lee Brown gives you a few hints and tips for the journey.


The Stadium.

Ashton Gate. Current Capacity - 21,479



Bristol South End was the original name of the club until they turned professional and founded the club under the new name of Bristol City. In 1900 the club merged with local rivals Bedminster, who themselves were founded in 1887 under the name of Southville. Bedminster’s home was Ashton Gate but when the two teams merged together under the name Bristol City, they played very few games at Ashton Gate and it wasn’t until 1904 that this ground was made the permanent home for the club.
In 1934 Bristol City won the Welsh Cup, despite being an English team.
In 1994 the Blackthorn Atyeo Stand (named after the clubs highest goal scorer John Atyeo) was transformed from an open terrace into an all seater stand. This is behind the goal at one end of the ground.
In 1995 the Dolman Stand had the lower tier of the Stand added. This is also has the Evening Post Dolman Exhibition Hall, home to the Supporters Club.
Opposite the Dolman Stand is the Prime Time Williams Stand. This is a very old looking stand and still has wooden seats for fans in this area. The directors box and press are accommodated here.
Then behind the other goal is the Micra Wedlock Stand, this is where the visiting support will be housed for this fixture. Again this is an old stand and is all seated but the chairs don’t have backs on them so be very careful if you do decide to sit down. The view is restricted slightly by pillars in various positions in the stand.

The History between the teams.

At Bristol City (37)

Bristol City 17
QPR 9
Draw 11

Rangers haven’t won at Ashton Gate since the 2002/2003 season. It was the 21st September and a 3-1 victory courtesy of goals from Karl Connolly (2) and a certain Kevin Gallen.
The last two fixtures at Bristol City have ended in draws. Last season was a 1-1 draw with Blackstock getting the goal. The most memorable game was the opening fixture of the 2007/2008 season and a 2-2 draw in an exciting encounter between the two teams. Bristol City seemed to of nicked a win at the death with a late goal from Scott Murray and it was a superb strike which was worthy of winning any game. Rangers didn’t give up on the game and equalised almost instantly via a Damion Stewart header right at the death when it seemed the game had been lost for the visitors.



How to get there.

By Car:- For those with the benefit of sat nav the post code you require is BS3 2EJ.
There are two ways you can attack the journey into Bristol. One way is to come off the M4 at junction 20 and drive down the M32 which leads into the City Centre, from here you will see signposts for the ground and is relatively easy to find.
The easiest route is to come off the M4 onto the M5 and come off the M5 at junction 18. From here travel down the A4 along Portway and follow the signs for Bristol Airport/Taunton (A38). Go over Brunel Way Bridge and branch to the left hand side onto Winterstoke Road and you will see the ground on your left hand side.
In regards to parking there is a car park on Ashton Vale Road which is just off the Winterstoke Road on the right hand side.

By Train:- You are most likely to arrive at Bristol Temple Meads station which is a good two miles or so away from the ground. You can get a taxi to the ground from here and will cost you roughly £6 for the trip. I wouldn’t advise walking to the ground as it is a fair trek .

Pubs 'n' Grub.

There are no pubs near the ground that would be advised to be used by the travelling support so if you feel like a beer then I would point you in the direction of the City Centre and enjoy a tipple there.
No alcohol is sold inside the away stand.
Food is available outside the ground in the form of KFC, otherwise most of the food options would have to be relied on the in ground catering or once again the City Centre for all your favourite food retailers.