QPR (Queens Park Rangers) Vs Sunderland

After an incredible week in Aberdeen, we were eager to dive back into the challenge with another exciting journey to London. This time, our route was slightly different, as we opted for a later start, catching the train from Cradley Heath to Birmingham Moor Street. From there, it was a straightforward ride to London Marylebone, saving us some time and energy for the day ahead.

Once in London, we incorporated a visit to another Wetherspoons pub, marking our progress in our ongoing pub-hopping alongside the football grounds. Our destination this time was “The Central Bar” in Shepherd’s Bush Market, which required two tube changes. The first leg was straightforward, but a bit of a mix-up at Edgware Road had us tapping out and crossing over to another part of the station to catch the Hammersmith and City line. After reaching Shepherd’s Bush Market, we followed the map to W12 Shopping Centre, where The Central Bar was located on the first floor.

When we arrived at the entrance, we encountered a “Home Fans Only” sign. Two security guards checked our tickets, verifying we were legitimate match-goers before letting us in. The place was packed, with only one table free. We quickly settled in and ordered—a pizza and orange juice for Liam, and a pint of cider for me. The clock was ticking, and we needed to eat and head out without delay, but Wetherspoons surprised us with a great-quality pizza that Liam enjoyed.

Following our quick meal, we joined the sea of supporters heading toward the stadium, passing by Shepherd’s Bush Market station and a group of lively Sunderland fans singing loudly along the route, which only added to the matchday energy. Just before the ground, we picked up a matchday program from a street vendor and headed toward the club shop, eager to buy our customary matchday scarf. However, we were met with two long lines, one outside and another weaving through the store interior. It was 14:10, so we had under an hour to go until kick-off, but we queued anyway, eager to add the QPR scarf to our collection. After a 30-minute wait, we finally got our scarf and realized our seats were on the other side of the ground.

Making our way to the stands with minutes to spare, we found that our seats weren’t quite what we expected. Located in the middle of a cramped row, they offered limited legroom and a partial view obstructed by a post—details not noted when purchasing the tickets online. Despite the discomfort, the atmosphere was electric, largely thanks to the Sunderland fans who brought strong energy to the game.

With Sunderland topping the league and QPR near the bottom, it seemed like the visitors were favourite’s, but QPR delivered a surprisingly competitive performance, though they struggled to finish their chances. The second half turned interesting when Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham was shown a red card for a dangerous tackle, much to Liam’s disappointment. He’d been looking forward to watching Jobe again during our upcoming visit to Sunderland for Matchday 83, but with a three-match suspension, that won’t be happening.

The game ended 0-0, with QPR likely feeling they deserved the win. With QPR managing to hold their own, a draw seemed a good result, though they could have taken all three points with better finishing. We headed out at the 88th minute to beat the crowd, stopping at the restroom and then catching a tube back to Marylebone. Arriving at Marylebone with just seven minutes until the next train to Birmingham, we quickly boarded and found a table despite the busy Saturday evening service. Arriving in Birmingham, we caught our final train back to Cradley Heath, wrapping up a long but memorable day in London.

With Bonfire Night around the corner, we’re looking forward to Matchday 82 as Burton Albion takes on Crawley Town—a perfect local fixture to keep the momentum going in our challenge.

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Five Facts About QPR

1. Founded in 1886: Queens Park Rangers, commonly known as QPR, was established in 1886 and has since become a fixture in West London football culture.
2. Loftus Road Stadium: QPR’s iconic stadium, Loftus Road, was built in 1904 and remains one of the most intimate grounds in English football, giving fans a close-up view of the action.
3. Premier League Stints: Though mainly a Championship team, QPR has had periods in the Premier League, most recently in the 2014-15 season, highlighting their aspiration to be among England’s elite clubs.
4. Hoops Legacy: The club’s distinctive blue and white hoops have been a QPR trademark for over a century, making them instantly recognizable on the pitch.
5. Notable Players: QPR has been home to several well-known players, including former England internationals like Stan Bowles and Les Ferdinand, adding to the club’s historical appeal.