QPR start only the second play-off campaign in the history of the club with a trip to fifth placed Wigan Athletic on Friday evening.

Ground Name: DW Stadium

Capacity: 25,023

Address: Loire Drive , Wigan , WN5 0UZ

Telephone: 01942 774 000

Box Office: 0871 663 3552

By Car

Just over 200 miles from Loftus Road this one, up the M1 and M6. Leave the M6 at junction 25 and take the A49 from there into Wigan . Follow that road two miles into town until you reach a large traffic light controlled roundabout after the Aldi store. Turn left there into Robin Park Road which leads to the ground and associated retail park. The ground is easily the biggest structure for some distance in either direction and should be visible from quite some way away. It's 207 miles and three hours 15 minutes from Loftus Road at the speed limit.

Map

Parking

Unusually for a new stadium the DW has been built with more than adequate car parking for all supporters, with a designated away car park apparently charging £5 for cars, £10 for mini buses and £20 for coaches. This can take a while to clear after matches. Avoid the nearby retail park which has a strictly enforced two hour parking limit and a £50 fine for those who disobey the rules.

There are six disabled parking bays at the ground available for £5 — these must be booked in advance by calling Norma Sherratt on 08716 633 522, or via emailing to n.sherratt@dwstadium.com

By Train

Obviously fairly late notice to be booking trains, and as it’s a midweek game it necessitates an overnight stay and a trip back on the Saturday.

Direct trains from Wigan North Western to Euston on Saturday morning are still available for £35.50 each at 09.09, 10.09, 11.09, 12.09 and 13.09 with a journey time of two hours and five minutes. You can shave that down to £27 by going from Manchester Piccadilly and paying a couple of quid for a local service down to there from Wigan Wallgate.

Direct trains up from Euston on Friday afternoon are monumentally overpriced - £107 for a single. Travel earlier in the day (12.43, 13.30, 13.43, 14.30) for £39.85 options.

The guide says the ground is a taxi or bus ride away and takes at least 20 minutes to walk but I'm not having it. It didn't take us that long last season and it was teeming with rain at the time so won't have felt short by accident. Come out of North Western and turn left, or Wallgate and turn right, and walk down the high street under the railway bridge. Take the third right down Miry Lane and then follow that through the industrial park until you reach a cul-de-sac on your left with a steel bridge over the canal at the end of it — this should be obvious with a stream of people heading over it to the match. The ground is clearly visible from there.

By Coach

Three different coach options for you, all desperately encouraging you to book as soon as possible so they know numbers.

LFW’s own Mel Huckridge is running buses from the Target Roundabout at 13.30 priced £30. E-mail Mel as quickly as possible at melh64@hotmail.co.uk to secure your place.

The LSA coaches are leaving the Springbok at 12.00 — traffic problems on a previous trip to Wigan and last month’s game at Blackburn has seen the association move their departure time forward to make absolutely sure of a prompt arrival. A first coach has already been filled and a second is well on the way so book as soon as possible by calling Gary on 07506 028 189 — further coaches will only be added if demand is there.

The official club coaches leave Loftus Road at 13.00 and the Target Roundabout at 13.30. This is priced £32 Adults, £21 disabled and ambulant, seniors, young adults and £19 for under 16s with the usual small discount for season ticket holders.

Pubs

Apparently for some matches Wigan now set up a marquee next to the away end offering beer, pies and live football although it wasn't there for our visit last season. There is also the Red Robin, a new build pub on the retail park which might be the best bet for those arriving by car and parking at the ground. The town centre is walkable and is where those arriving by train, to either station, will arrive. That has all the usual suspects. The Anvil is the CAMRA recognised pub, the Swan and Railway is the one best avoided. Many end up in the Moon Under Water Wetherspoons.

Match Tickets

Rangers have an initial allocation of 3,323 of which there are 1,280 remaining. The away end holds 4,500 so presumably more will be made available if these sell out. Reasonable prices as always at Wigan - £20 adults, £15 for seniors and 16-21 year olds, £10 for under 16s and under fives go free.

Links >>> Official website >>> Detailed ground guide >>> LFW Wigan Awayday

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