R's on The Road.......... To Derby County.

On Saturday the in-form Rangers take centre stage in the live match of the day on BBC 2 in the 5.30 kick off.
As usual here are a few hints and tips for your journey north.




The Stadium.

Current Capacity - 33,597



Pride Park has been the home of Derby County since 1997 having been at home at The Baseball Ground since 1895.
Each of Derby’s three homes, including their first home The Racecourse Ground, have hosted a full International. The Racecourse Ground hosted the England 9 Ireland 0 victory in 1895, The Baseball Ground was host to the England 2 Ireland 1 victory in 1911 and Pride Park graced the England 4 Mexico 0 match.
Derby’s most successful manager is the legendary Brain Clough. He managed to lead the club to the Division 2 title in 1969 and the Division 1 title in 1972. He also won two other smaller competitions with the club, The Watney Cup in 1971 and The Texaco Cup in 1972. He left the club in 1973 to manage Brighton and then Leeds in 1974 before taking over at bitter rivals Nottingham Forest in 1975. The A52, which separates Derby from Nottingham, has been named ‘Brian Clough Way’ in appreciation for his efforts at both clubs during his spells there.

The History between the teams.

At Derby County (21)

Derby 10
QPR 6
Draw 5

The last time QPR won at Derby (excluding last year) was on 29th October 2005 in the R’s second season in the Championship following their promotion from League One.
It was my first trip to Pride Park and what a game it was! Me along with my friends Jointy and Tony took to the road for the two and a bit hour journey in hope that we would witness a second away win of the season for a Rangers side sitting comfortably in mid table. Gareth Ainsworth opened the scoring when he bundled the ball over from close range. However five minutes later disaster struck. Paul Furlong was sent off for kicking out on Emerson Thome and the Brazilian’s play acting really didn’t help but it did leave the R’s with the seemingly impossible job of holing out for over 55 minutes. That however wasn’t to rain on Rangers parade. Derby were given the opportunity to equalize from the penalty spot after a handball inside the box. Idiakez placed his penalty into the bottom left corner but Simon Royce pulled off a fantastic save and ensured the R’s stayed in front. A galvanised Rangers attacked once again with 10 minutes remaining Kevin Gallen was set in the clear after a through ball by Georges Santos and curled a beautiful shot around the despairing Poole in the Derby goal. However just four minutes later Dexter Blackstock did pull a goal back for Derby and set up a grandstand finish. With Simon Royce bang on form we were able to hang on and bring the points back to West London and send the 3 happy travellers back home ecstatic.



How to get there.

By Car:- The sat nav postcode for today is DE24 8XL.
Follow the M1 up to junction 25 and take the left onto the A52 towards Derby. 7 miles down the A52 you will have the ground signposted all the way for the rest of the journey.
Parking can be a tad tricky. On my last visit there was a little secluded area of parking just before Pride Park but I’m not aware if this is still available so instead I would point you in the direction of the cattle market which is a 15 minute walk from Pride Park or you can always park at the Derby Conference Centre for £5.


By Train:- The ground is roughly a ten minute walk from the station and I will do my best to give you directions from here. As you get off the platform go up the stairs, turn right and walk to the end of the bridge. Go down the stairs, exit and turn right down Roundhouse Road. Bear left at the roundabout, go straight down Riverside Road or turn right and go down Pride Parkway. You will approach the ground straight ahead of you.


Pubs 'n' Grub.

The best place for Rangers fans to drink is the Harvester just around the corner from the ground. It is very friendly in there and I have never encountered any trouble there on previous visits.
For food you could use the Harvester or alternatively there is a Frankie and Bennys, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, KFC, Burger King and Subway not far from here.
Available on the concourse are a selection of Pies and Pasties all at £2.60, Cheeseburgers (£3.50), Burgers (£3) and Hot dogs (£3). They also offer a Pie & Pint for £5.50.