QPR formally call for 30,000-capacity ground at Linford Christie Stadium

QPR have formally outlined their proposal for a 30,000-capacity stadium – which would be compatible with safe standing and include a club museum – in response to the public consultation on the future of the Linford Christie Stadium.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council published the consultation in February, laying out three possible options for the site near Wormwood Scrubs, where Rangers want a new stadium as part of a sports complex.

Option one is to do nothing, which is not seen as a viable choice given that the current facility is not fit for purpose.

The second option is an upgrade of the stadium, which is currently home to athletics club Thames Valley Harriers, while the third option set out was the construction of a 45,000-capacity “performance venue” which could be used by QPR as well as for events.

That was not what QPR were hoping for.

‘Hybrid option’

In response, they have formally asked the council and the Wormwood Scrubs Charitable Trust, which is responsible for the site, to choose what the club calls a “hybrid option” of a 30,000-capacity venue.

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In a document published in response to the public consultation, the club state: “QPR does not believe that a 45,000-seater entertainment complex is in the best interests of the club or the community.

“Forty-five thousand would be too large for QPR’s purposes and there are question marks about whether such an arrangement is compatible with the need for primacy of use under Football League regulations.

“A hybrid option that puts a professional football club with the community at its heart as the anchor of a new community sports hub to promote Wormwood Scrubs for exercise and recreation, and in doing so keeps QPR in W12 for another hundred years, is the option that the club believes should be pursued.”

On the all-important issue of ownership of the site, QPR say their preferred option is freehold but that the club “is open to a leasehold arrangement if it is affordable and of sufficient length to provide security.”

Rangers add: “The club could not participate in any arrangement that did not give it adequate security for the future.”

‘Maximum noise’ and a ‘steep rake’

The document issued by Rangers contains a “stadium wishlist” which, as well as a 30,000-capacity ground and a QPR museum, includes “capturing the intimacy and atmosphere of Loftus Road, with every seat close to the pitch, and a steep rake” as well as being “compatible for safe standing, as and when regulations are changed.”

The club also say the venue would be “acoustically designed to keep maximum noise inside the stadium, encouraging a good atmosphere” and that 10% of the stadium would contain either executive or premium seating.

The QPR-led sports hub would also be a base for likes of Thames Valley Harriers, London GAA, PHC Hockey, London Sports baseball team and Kensington Dragons FC.

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Leaving Loftus Road regardless

The document also reiterates that QPR want a venue for all-year use on non-matchdays, which would provide a vital source of revenue the club currently miss out on, as well as a base for the QPR in the Community Trust, whose work has been widely commended.

Staying at Loftus Road is not an option as far as the current Rangers regime are concerned. QPR reiterate in the document that the club does not believe it has a viable future at its current home and regards the Linford Christie Stadium site as the club’s final chance to relocate within the W12 area.

Rangers are “very unlikely to be based in the borough in the medium to long term” if their proposals are rejected, the document states.