QPR stepping up pursuit of Linford Christie Stadium site

QPR have reiterated their desire to build a new ground on the site of the Linford Christie Stadium, warning that the club is “not financially sustainable” at Loftus Road.

The site next to Wormwood Scrubs is three times the size of the club’s current home, where Rangers have played for most of the past hundred years.

The Linford Christie Stadium is seen as QPR’s final chance to relocate within the west London area and has become the club’s focus of attention as the ambition of creating a sport and leisure hub at Old Oak has dwindled.

QPR have published a document, titled Secure R Future, setting out their case for a community stadium, arguing that Loftus Road, with its capacity of just over 18,000, cannot meet the club’s long-term needs.

“Fan groups have asked us to set out in more detail the reasons we are looking for a new stadium, which is why we have published this document today,” said QPR chief executive Lee Hoos.

“We have to face up to the fact that this club is not financially sustainable in the long term whilst we remain at Loftus Road, and we are running out of possible sites near our current home where we could move to.”

QPR officials have been lobbying Hammersmith & Fulham Council for some time and have long planned to step up the pursuit of a new community stadium within the borough once May’s local elections and the summer transfer window have concluded.

Hoos added: “The idea of a QPR community stadium – with a new athletics track and community sport facility next door – on the Linford Christie Stadium site represents the only chance of staying in W12.

“If we get the go ahead to pursue this option we will consult with fans about how any new stadium would work and, crucially, how we retain the best characteristics of Loftus Road.

“In the meantime, we will continue to do everything we can to highlight to the council that QPR is an important part of this local community and that they should help us stay here for the long term.”