I live at the entrance to a big football stadium – fans line up at my front door, but not for the reason you’d expect
A stroll along Ellerslie Road features the attractive Victorian terraced houses that are typical of this affluent area of west London.
But halfway up the street, wedged between large entrances to properties at the end of the terrace, lies the entrance to the championship team Queens Park Rangers football field.
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The bright blue gates allow access to the Stanley Bowles grandstand at Loftus Road Stadium, which has a giant sign that reads “Welcome to the Loft”.
While it’s a football fan’s dream to live a stone’s throw from a major stadium, locals have mixed feelings about the 18,000 fans that flock to their street each week.
But one resident who loves matchdays is two-year-old German shepherd Misty – who has become the club’s unofficial mascot.
Owner Donna Fitzgerald, whose backyard is adjacent to the stadium, says her pooch enjoys watching the crowds of fans from her window or front yard.
When we visit, she tells us: “Everyone stops to say hello to Misty. She loves a game day.”
“She’s famous among the fans, everyone stops in the doorway to take pictures of her.”
There is a problem that is driving the residents who live next to the football field crazy – literally.
“Sometimes it sucks living here,” Donna admits. “On match days I often can’t get my car out, which is a joke because I pay for a parking permit and council tax, so I should be able to come and go as I please.”
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“The fans can be terrible. I’ve had people pee in front of my door and they all drop trash.”
“That means I’m a Chelsea fan, so I’m not the biggest QPR fan.”
The parking issue is a concern for many of Ellerslie Road residents – especially given that they spend £119 a year to park their car on the street. If they have two vehicles it’s up to £497.
Council tax on the properties starts at £870 and can go up to £2,612, according to the Hammersmith and Fulham Local Authorities website.
On matchdays, the road is closed to traffic to allow fans to be corralled into the stadium – which can seat up to 18,439 fans – by the police.
Residents at one end are not allowed to leave their cars on the street outside their homes as this is required for a control tent to control the fans.
fines
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It leaves a sour taste in the mouth of local resident Greg, as he was fined for not moving his engine.
The 41-year-old, who declined to give his last name, said: “The stadium is no longer fit for purpose [the council] know that.
“If I leave my car in front of the house on match day I could face a fine of up to £130.
“I pay council tax and my permit so I don’t understand why I need to move it. That’s ridiculous.”
If I leave my car in front of the house on match day I will be fined up to £130 a time. I pay council tax and my permit so I don’t understand why I need to move it. It is ridiculous
Greg, resident of Ellerslie Road
“They put something like a chicken coop in the pens in front of my house to control the fans, but I don’t think they’re doing that well.”
“We used to get a free ticket to a game through the mailbox, but that hasn’t happened in years. It would be nice to get her back.”
The stadium was built in 1904 and later. The Stanley Bowles Grandstand, accessible from Ellerslie Road, opened in 1972 to replace the old tin-roofed grandstand.
It is considered the noisiest grandstand as it has 237 rail seats allowing club supporters to stand up during the game.
‘Nice atmosphere’
Not all residents dislike the soccer field; Judith, who has lived on the streets for 40 years, likes the busy atmosphere it creates.
She says: “I think the club is doing it all pretty well. They clean the street after every home game and I’ve never had a problem with one of the fans wondering down the street.”
“It’s a pretty nice atmosphere and I don’t mind hearing them scream when their team scores a goal.”
It’s quite a nice atmosphere and I don’t mind hearing them scream when their team scores
Judith, resident of Ellerslie Road
Houses on the normally quiet street sell for over £1million and apartments regularly fetch £500,000 – despite being right next to the roaring stadium.
New homeowner Cleo admitted the stadium was a problem for her and her boyfriend when they bought their condo, but said they didn’t have many problems.
The 31-year-old social worker says: “We’ve been here for eight months and have never really had a problem living next to the stadium.”
“We had reservations about buying the apartment knowing where it was, but the apartment is just so beautiful.
“It’s a bit annoying that sometimes we have to move the car, but when we left it on the road there was no damage or anything.”
“Also the police very kindly left us the cordon on match day which was really nice of them.”
Cleo adds that when the trees are bare in winter they can see part of the pitch, but not enough to see an entire game.
“Return Free Tickets”
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Across the street is Anin, 72, a big fan of living near the stadium.
He says: “Parking used to be a problem, but now that there are restrictions, it’s no longer a problem.”
“We used to get free tickets, but they stopped about 15 years ago, which is a shame. I would like it to start again.”
“The fans are fine and it’s only about two and a half hours and then it’s quiet again.”
“It’s a really nice, family-friendly atmosphere around a home game.”
Another fan of the stadium just behind her house is 26-year-old student Fahim.
He and his roommates live at the end of a row, right next to an entrance to the booth.
He says: “My roommates and I try to support QPR as they are right behind us.”
“Living next to the stadium doesn’t make a big difference for us in general.”
“During the season the road is closed twice a week but that doesn’t bother me much as I don’t drive and we can walk in and out.”
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