R's on The Road.......... To Peterborough United

This Saturday sees the R's travel up to lowly Peterbrough United. This is Jim Gannon's first game in charge of The Posh having been appointed as their new manager on Tuesday after sacking Mark Cooper just two months into his reign at London Road.



The Stadium.

Capacity: 15,314

Peterborough were formed in 1934 and begun their history playing in the old Midland League, which they won six times.
In 1960 the club were admitted to the Football League at the expense of Gateshead FC. In their maiden season they went on to clinch the Fourth Division, largely helped by Terry Bly’s 52 goals during the course of the season. Bly has remained a Posh legend ever since.
Peterborough have been in the second tier only once before in their history. This was achieved with Chris Turner, a member of Peterborough’s 1973/74 Fourth Division winning side. Turner took the reins in January 1991 and signed six players on transfer deadline day (which was a record number of players signed on one day at the time) and helped the club go on a 13 game unbeaten streak which propelled the club into fourth place going into the final game of the season. With ‘The Posh’ needing a win at Chesterfield to secure their own fate they couldn’t of got off to a worse start as they fell 2-0 behind in the first ten minutes. They managed to fight back to a 2-2 draw and had to rely on Blackpool’s result at Walsall, Blackpool lost and promotion to the third tier was safe.
The following season The Posh embarked on an impressive League Cup run which saw them knock out Wimbledon, Newcastle and Liverpool before Middlesbrough knocked them out in the Quarter Final stages, needing a replay to complete the job.
Further cup heartache was dished out that season as an area final defeat in the Auto Windscreens Shield to Stoke City denied them of a dream trip to Wembley.
However the clubs good form continued as they went on to clinch a Play Off place. After defeating Huddersfield 4-3 on aggregate and setting up a first Wembley trip in the clubs history, against Stockport County in the final. Peterborough were leading 1-0 going into injury time and conceded a last minute equaliser that looked to send the tie into extra time, however just a minute later Ken Charlery bagged the winner and sent The Posh into the second tier for the first time in their history.



The London Road ground was built in 1913 originally for Fletton United. In 1923 Fletton United and Peterborough City merged to become Peterborough & Fletton United. The merged clubs went bankrupt in 1932. When Peterborough United were formed they took their place at the London Road ground.
In 1996 reconstruction work on the Norwich and Peterborough stand was completed and replaced the terraced stand. Its impressive in comparison to the other stands at the ground. Opposite that stand is the Main Stand. This is also two tiers but looks very dated. Behind both goals are terraced ends. The away fans will be housed in the Moyes Terrace, which can hold up to 4000 fans. Another 800 tickets are made available in the Main Stand for those who like to sit down during the game.

The History between the teams.

At Peterborough (12)

Peterborough 6
QPR 3
Draw 3

There have only been three meetings at London Road during the last decade. In 2001 Peterborough won 4-1. In Jan 2003 Rangers’ gained revenge in a 2-0 victory with goals from Clarke Carlisle and Richard Langley. Then in October 2003 a 0-0 draw was played out.

How to get there.

By Car:- The postcode for the ground today is PE2 8AL.
Make your way onto the A1 and leave the A1 at junction 17. This will put you on the A1139, follow this for roughly three miles and leave at junction 3 onto the A15 towards Peterborough. Another three miles down the road and you will see the ground on your right hand side.

There are two possible places to park. There is parking available at the ground or alternatively you could park in the council pay and display car park which is just off London Road (on the left after you pass the ground, heading towards the town centre).

By Train:- The train station is roughly a mile from the ground, so it’s well within walking distance. As you walk out of the station take a right and follow the main road (you will pass an Asda store on the way). At the traffic lights near the Rivergate shopping centre take a right and walk over the bridge. You will see the floodlights on your left hand side.

Pubs 'n' Grub.

There are two pubs that are recommended for away fans on their trip to London Road. The first is The Cherry Tree (which also has parking) and the second is Palmerston Arms. Both pubs are within 150 yards of each other and are both situated on the Oundle Road. Both pubs are en route from the train station to the ground.
I am unsure of what eating facilities are available around the ground, all I have heard is that there is a KFC not far from the ground.