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      I live at entrance to major football stadium – fans queue up outside my front door but not for the reason you’d expect

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      WANDERING along Ellerslie Road, the attractive Victorian terrace homes are typical for this affluent area of west London.But halfway down the street, sandwiched between grand entrances to end-of-terrace properties, lies the entrance to Championship side Queens Park Rangers’ football ground.
      The stadium is sat behind a row of Victorian terrace houses in West LondonCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Donna’s dog Misty is loved by fans who like to stop and take pictures of her on match dayCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The bright blue gates provide access to the Stanley Bowles Stand within the Loftus Road Stadium, with a huge sign reading “Welcome to the Loft”.
      While it might be a football fan’s dream to live a stone’s throw from a major ground, locals have mixed feelings about the 18,000 fans who descend on their street every week.
      But one resident who loves match days is two-year-old German Shepherd Misty – who has become the club’s unofficial mascot.
      Owner Donna Fitzgerald, whose garden backs onto the stadium, says her pooch enjoys watching the crowds of fans from the window or the front garden.
      READ MORE ON FOOTBALL STADIUMS

      She tells us when we visit: “Everybody stops to say hello to Misty. She loves a match day.
      “She’s famous among the fans, they all stop to take photographs of her in the doorway.”
      There is one issue that drives residents who live next door to the football ground mad – literally.
      “It’s s*** living here sometimes,” Donna admits. “I often can’t take my car out on match days, 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.
      Most read in Football
      Houses on the street can sell for up to £1millionCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The main entrance to the Loftus Road stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “The fans can be awful. I’ve had fellas wee outside my door, and they all drop rubbish.
      “That said, I’m a Chelsea supporter, so I’m not QPR’s biggest fan.”
      The parking issue is a gripe shared by many Ellerslie Road residents – especially given they have to fork out £119 a year to park their car on the road. If they have two vehicles, that shoots up to £497.
      Council tax for the properties starts from £870 and can go up to £2,612 according to the Hammersmith and Fulham local authority’s website.
      On match days the road is closed to traffic to allow fans to be corralled into the stadium – which holds up to 18,439 supporters – by police.
      Residents at one end are not allowed to leave their cars on the road outside their homes, as it’s needed for a control marquee to manage fans.
      Fines
      Greg has been fined several times for leaving his car on the road by his houseCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Greg lives close to one of the stadium entrances which fans use to access the standCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      It’s left a sour taste in local resident Greg’s mouth, as he has been hit with fines for not moving his motor.
      The 41-year-old, who did not wish to give his surname, said: “The stadium is not fit for purpose any more, and [the council] know that.
      “If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time.
      “I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculous.
      If I leave my car outside my house on match day, I get fined up to £130 a time. I pay council tax and for my permit, so I don’t see why I have to move it. It’s ridiculousGreg, Ellerslie Road resident
      “They set up a chicken coop style thing in the bays outside my house to control the fans, but I don’t think they do it that well.
      “Once upon a time we used to get a free ticket through the letterbox to a game, but that’s not happened in years. It would be nice to get it back.”
      The stadium was built in 1904 and later The Stanley Bowles stand, accessed from Ellerslie Road, was opened in 1972 to replace the old tin-roof grandstand.
      It is said to be the loudest stand, as it has 237 rail seats that allow club supporters to stand up during the game.
      ‘Nice atmosphere’
      Not all residents resent the football ground; Judith, who has lived on the street for 40 years, likes the bustling atmosphere it creates.
      She says: “I think the club manage it all pretty well. They clean the street after any home games, and I’ve never had a problem with any of the fans wandering down the road.
      “It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team score.”
      It’s quite a nice atmosphere, and I don’t mind hearing them shout when their team scoreJudith, Ellerslie Road resident
      Houses on the normally quiet road sell for upwards of £1million and flats regularly go for £500,000 – despite being next to the roaring stadium.
      New homeowner Cleo admitted the stadium was a concern for her and her boyfriend when they purchased their, flat but say they’ve not had many issues.
      The social worker, 31, says: “We’ve been here for eight months and have never really had an issue living next to the stadium.
      “We did have reservations about buying the flat knowing where it was, but the flat is just so lovely.
      “It’s a bit annoying that we have to move the car sometimes, but when we’ve left it on the street there hasn’t been any damage done to it or anything.
      “We’ve also been very kindly let out the barrier on match day by the police, which was really nice of them.”
      Cleo adds that when the trees are bare in winter, they can see a section of the pitch, but not enough to watch a full game.
      ‘Bring back free tickets’
      Anin is a big fan of football and wishes the club would start giving out free tickets againCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      The stadium is surrounded by houses in West LondonCredit: Google Earth
      At the other end of the road Anin, 72, is a big fan of living by the stadium.
      He says: “Parking used to be a problem, but now they’ve put in restrictions it isn’t.
      “We used to get free tickets, but they stopped about 15 years ago, which is a shame. I’d like them to start again.
      “The fans are alright, 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 match.”
      Another fan of the stadium being just behind their home is student Fahim, 26.
      He and his flatmates live on the end of a row, right next to an entrance for the stand.
      He says: “My flatmates and I try to support QPR, as they’re right behind us.
      Read More on The Sun
      “Living next to the stadium, it doesn’t really make that much of a difference to us generally.
      “The road gets closed twice a week during the season, but it doesn’t bother me much as I don’t drive, and we can get in and out on foot.”
      Fahim tries to support his local teamCredit: JOHN McLELLAN More

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      Ex-England star makes £20m as he sells mega-mansion to downsize his family home

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      EX-England ace John Terry sold his mansion — netting almost £20million profit.The former Chelsea defender bought the 18th-century seven-bed property in 2019 for £4.1million before doing it up with wife Toni.
      John Terry and wife Toni have sold their mega-mansion for a massive £20mCredit: Getty
      The couple bought the home in Surrey for £4.1m in 2019Credit: Savills
      Dad of two Terry, now a coach at Leicester City, has flogged it for a massive £23million.
      A source said: “John and Toni have a real eye for interior design.
      “They built a huge outdoor swimming area – with a bar – which is perfect for parties, and modernised other rooms.
      “They put in a gym, and rebuilt the garages to host a fleet of luxury sports cars.”
      Staff quarters were also added to the seven-acre Surrey estate.
      The couple, both 42, have snapped up an £8m property a few miles away.
      They have also been involved with four homes on the Crown Estate in Oxshott, one of Britain’s most exclusive areas.
      The source added: “They have made a huge profit which they can now use to invest in other homes.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s a pretty tidy sideline.”
      Terry, a former Chelsea and England captain, is moving his family to a smaller £8m property a few miles awayCredit: EPA More

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      Jermain Defoe is moving into £3m mansion with new love — months after marriage split

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      FOOTIE’S Jermain Defoe is moving into this £3million pad with new love Alisha LeMay — months after his marriage collapsed.The five-bedroom home in Herts is near Spurs’ training ground where Jermain, 40, coaches at the academy.
      Jermain Defoe is moving into this £3million pad with new love Alisha LeMayCredit: UniquePictures.co.uk
      The five-bedroom home in Herts is near Spurs’ training ground where Jermain coaches at the academyCredit: UniquePictures.co.uk
      He married Donna Tierney, 40, last June but they separated early this year.
      He has yet to go public about his relationship with influencer Alisha.
      She told in a video on Thursday how she was “conducting about 400 people”, adding: “Why is moving so stressful?”
      “I’ve literally not had a minute to myself.
      Read More on Jermain Defoe
      “But all for a good cause.”
      A source said: “Jermain isn’t one to take things slowly so this move won’t come as a surprise.”
      The source added: “Jermain and Alisha are loving life together.”
      A source said: ‘Jermain isn’t one to take things slowly so this move won’t come as a surprise’Credit: UniquePictures.co.uk More

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      We live in former Premier League stadium converted into flats – we love it but there’s a catch

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      RESIDENTS living in an old football stadium say they’re having a ball – apart from one major drawback.Arsenal moved out of Highbury in 2006 after 93 years and headed three roads over to the 60,700 seater Emirates.
      Residents living in Arsenal’s old stadium say they’re having a ball – apart from one major drawbackCredit: Alamy
      Half the flats incorporate the skeletal remains of the old East and West standsCredit: Getty
      Two bed flats in the development can command up to £850,000Credit: Getty
      Highbury Square apartments was built in its place and now boasts 650 posh apartments.
      Completed in 2010, modern two bed flats in the development can command up to £850,000.

      Cheryl Cavelli, 47, has lived in the development for the last two years. 
      The former HR worker, originally from the USA, told The Sun: “I don’t know anything about soccer but it’s sort of like being pitch side.
      Read More Arsenal stories
      “It’s a nice place to live in a quiet corner of London. I love it.”
      Half the flats incorporate the skeletal remains of the old East and West stands.
      Residents in these flats get a dose of nostalgia as they use the old turn style entrances to access their homes.
      A vast glass façade covers these two blocks, and behind it sit flats and interior balconies.
      Most read in Football
      Meanwhile new stadium-style brise soleil coverings loom over both stands to stop residents getting frazzled in hot sun.   
      The preserved stands also mean the frontages of the old 1923 stadium are still in place on Avenell Road and Highbury Hill. 
      And that means a lot to Arsenal mad Ken who was off to the pub to watch the Newcastle away game.
      Although he doesn’t live in the development, he wishes he did. 
      “These are my roots, Highbury is Arsenal to me”, he told The Sun.  
      He added: “It’s nice they’ve kept a bit of it. It means a lot to people like me. 
      “Just loads of memories of me and my dad bless him.”
      Sadly the North Bank and Clock End [south] stands were demolished during the development.
      In their place are two new apartment blocks which boast balconies overlooking the old pitch. 
      The outdoor complex give residents the chance to wander around a central open air recreation area. 
      It was here where resident Mr Galloway pointed out to The Sun how over 500 Arsenal fans had their ashes buried under the old pitch.
      He explained: “They could’ve just bulldozed them when this got thrown up but there are memorials like a bench and flowerbeds for them now.”
      But another resident who did not want to be named said there is one major catch to living in the former stadium: you can’t even play football.
      They said: “The old pitch is really fenced off and mainly concrete.
      “You have to tap in and out. 
      “Bit ironic there’s no space to kick a ball around on what used to be ‘The Home of Football’.”
      Nicola, 37, a mum of two, is another resident of 5 years in the development. 
      She added: “I’ve always liked unusual places, like barn conversions and old factories, so it’s sort of unsurprising I ended up here.”
      Chris Hall was carrying shopping back when he spoke to The Sun. 
      He said: “It’s quite cool to live here.
      “But for me personally it doesn’t feel that much like a stadium anymore.
      “There’s not loads left to make you think it’s an old stadium.”
      Read More on The Sun
      Carla Short, added: “The bits left of the stadium are interesting. The only thing that annoys me is a lot of tourists taking pictures.
      “People also come up to me asking questions about it.”
      Arsenal moved out of Highbury in 2006 and moved to the 60,700 seater EmiratesCredit: Alamy
      The preserved stands also mean the frontages of the old 1923 stadium are still in place on Avenell Road and Highbury HillCredit: Getty
      Posh flats offer views over the former pitchCredit: Getty
      The only catch is there is no space to play footballCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Residents living in the flats get a dose of nostalgia as they use the old turn style entrances to access their homesCredit: Getty
      The development retains the Arsenal identity but offers a new space for residents to liveCredit: Alamy
      Arsenal were based at Highbury Stadium for 93 yearsCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Terrifying details emerge of raid at Rio Ferdinand and pregnant Kate’s house in front of shaken family

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      BRAVE Rio Ferdinand nabbed an intruder in his back garden and held him until cops arrived.The ex-England ace, 44, saw the man at his South East London home while pregnant wife Kate, 31, and their kids were inside.
      Rio Ferdinand, pictured with pregnant wife Kate, nabbed an intruder at his homeCredit: Getty
      Rio has three children with late first wife Rebecca, one boy with ex-Towie star Kate, and a little girl on the wayCredit: Instagram
      Rio’s heavily-pregnant wife Kate was inside the house with the childrenCredit: Social media – Refer to source
      A source said: “This was a frightening incident.”
      Ferdinand bravely tackled the prowler to protect his pregnant wife, kids and property.
      CCTV footage from cameras at his £4million home revealed the suspect tried to open the rear patio doors to get inside the  previous evening.
      The man then spent the night in the garden and was confronted by Rio the next morning.
      Read More on Rio Ferdinand
      The ex-England and Manchester United star detained the prowler until the arrival of security guards on the private estate in Bromley, South East London.
      Police were then called.
      Rio was horrified to find the man outside his home on Friday.
      A source said last night: “This was a frightening incident which has left Rio and Kate pretty shaken up.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s worrying that someone got into the grounds but Rio dealt with it  — and they both know it could have been a lot worse. But it caused a lot of concern.”
      Another source said: “Rio was alarmed to see an intruder   and  was naturally concerned for the safety of his family.
      “He acted promptly and decisively and went outside to deal with any potential threat.
      “Rio alerted the estate’s security team and then went outside to confront the intruder and demand what he was doing there.
      “He kept him there until a security guard arrived soon afterwards and the  man was led outside and detained until the police got there.”
      Rio’s heavily-pregnant wife, former Towie star Kate was inside the house with her son Cree, two, and stepchildren Lorenz, 16, Tate, 14, and Tia, 12, from Rio’s first marriage.
      Police took the intruder to ­hospital after he complained of feeling unwell.
      Despite the apparent attempt to get inside the Ferdinands’ home, the man was not arrested.
      Ex-Met Police detective chief inspector Mick Neville said: “It’s good to see a TV celebrity and famous footballer taking action to defend his home and family.
      Rio spotted the prowler in his garden in Kent while pregnant wife Kate and their kids were indoorsCredit: Instagram
      A source said: ‘This was a frightening incident’
      “There have been some horrendous stories  about the homes of footballers being broken into.
      “Rio couldn’t be sure what he was dealing with when he went outside to deal with the suspect.
      “He should be commended for dealing with it courageously.”
      The intruder turned out to be a  homeless man who is suspected to have got on to the estate — patrolled by guards — via a public bridleway.
      The matter was later dealt with by a community resolution with Rio and Kate’s consent.
      The Met said: “Police were called to a 70-year-old man detained by a private security guard having been found in the garden of a residential property.
      “He was dealt with by a community resolution for ‘Being on Enclosed Premises for an Unlawful Purpose’, an offence under the Vagrancy Act.”
      Kate made no mention of the drama when she posted stylish photos of herself and growing baby bump on Instagram later on Friday.
      She wrote: “A very busy but exciting week. Now get me home on the sofa in my pjs to my babies & hubby.”
      That night Kate made a surprise appearance on Mo Gilligan’s The Lateish Show, where Rio was a guest.
      On the Channel 4 programme, Rio — whose first wife Rebecca Ellison died of breast cancer aged 34 — spoke of the night he first met Kate in Dubai.
      Read More on The Sun
      He relayed a story of how he awkwardly tripped over as he escorted her to the loo.
      It led to her nicknaming him The Peckham Crawler.
      LATEST ACE TO BE HITBy Thomas Godfrey
      RIO Ferdinand is the latest in a spate of Premier League stars to be targeted by a robbery gang.
      Raheem Sterling returned from the World Cup in Qatar last year when masked thugs stole £300,000 of jewellery from his home.
      The dad of three, 28, missed England’s quarter-final to comfort fiancée Paige Milian and his kids.
      Ex-Man United midfielder Paul Pogba’s mansion was raided while his kids slept last year as he played in a Europa League game.
      The French ace, 29, called the ordeal his “worst nightmare”.
      The homes of his ex-teammates Victor Lindelof, 28, Jesse Lingard, 30, and Hannibal Mejbri, 20, were also targeted during 2022.
      Former England left-back Ashley Cole, 42, and partner Sharon Canu were tied up in their kitchen during an armed raid in January 2020.
      Supt Carl Williams, ex-head of a UK intelligence unit focused on serious organised crime, said raiders scoured players’ social media for clues to their movements.

      KATE WORRYBy Sophie King, of Tommy’s charity
      FOR many, pregnancy can be an emotional and anxious time.
      As midwives, we do our best to make sure women have the support they need to reduce stress so they can have the most positive experience possible and ultimately take home a healthy baby.
      We at Tommy’s pregnancy charity are so sad to hear about this incident and can only imagine the worry and anxiety this created.
      Everyone at Tommy’s sends the family our best wishes at this ­difficult time. More

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      Inside the former Premier League stadium converted into stunning flats worth almost half a BILLION pounds

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      ARSENAL’S former Highbury home hosted its final match in 2006.As the Highbury Countdown Clock finally ticked down to zero, it was time for the Gunners to up sticks to the nearby, newly-built Emirates Stadium.
      Arsenal played their final game at Highbury in May 2006Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Highbury Square now features 650 stunning flatsCredit: Alamy
      Gardens now lie where the Highbury pitch used to beCredit: Getty – Contributor
      The Gunners moved a short walk away to Emirates StadiumCredit: Alamy
      Following Arsenal’s departure, work began on developing their former home, where they had played since their 11-mile move from Woolwich in 1913, into flats.
      Highbury had been designed by formidable late architect Archibald Leitch, the remarkable visionary behind the likes of Old Trafford, Anfield, White Hart Lane and Stamford Bridge – among countless other stadiums across Britain.
      The North Bank and Clock End were knocked down upon Arsenal’s exit – but as Grade II listed buildings, the old East and West Stands remained.
      This led to them being incorporated into the design for Highbury Square, the apartment complex that now sits where Arsenal’s home used to.
      READ MORE ON ARSENAL
      Over the three years following Arsenal’s final match there, Highbury Square was transformed into 650 stunning flats.
      They vary in price between around £400k and £800k – with the total value of all 650 flats in the region of a half a billion.

      While no longer the home of the Gunners, Highbury Square retains plenty of nods to its famous past.
      The East and West Stands exteriors still proudly remain, looming over the site while still adorned by Arsenal’s crest and colours.
      Most read in Football
      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
      Arsene Wenger opens the new apartment complex in 2009… with the bust of Herbert Chapman still in tact behind himCredit: Getty
      Late former Arsenal boss Bertie Mee stands in front of the same Herbert Chapman bust in 1970Credit: Getty
      The exterior of Arsenal’s old East Stand remains in tact to this dayCredit: Getty
      Arsenal’s former East Stand still stands proudCredit: Getty
      Fans can still walk past the entrance to the old West StandCredit: Getty
      A bust of former Gunners manager Herbert Chapman remains in the same marble corridors, while the players’ tunnel is also intact.
      The pitch is long gone, but has been replaced by gardens – a perfect place for any Gooner resident to sit and reminisce on times gone by.
      Arsene Wenger returned to the site while still Arsenal boss in 2009, officially opening the flats for business.
      Residents are treated to plush, comfortable apartments – as well as underground parking, 24-hour security and an on-site gym.
      Many of the flats also possess sprawling balconies facing inward… looking out on to where the Highbury pitch used to be.
      They are also largely open plan, providing modern designs and a spacious feel.
      Back in 2020, Wenger admitted to beIN Sports that Arsenal “left their soul” at Highbury.
      He said: “You are always in a position when you are a football club to move forward or stay in the past.
      Read More on The Sun
      “To compete with the other clubs, we had to build a new stadium. The rules had changed.
      “We wanted to create the same as Highbury but we left our soul at Highbury. We could never recreate exactly. We didn’t find exactly the same atmosphere.”
      Arsenal’s old East and West Stands were incorporated into the designCredit: Getty
      Highbury Square featured plenty of spaces to relaxCredit: Getty
      Balconies look out onto where the pitch used to beCredit: Getty
      Highbury Square still retains an Arsenal feelCredit: Alamy More

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      Tyson Fury gets green light for multi-million pound Grand Designs-style renovation after planning row

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      HEAVYWEIGHT champ Tyson Fury has been given the green light to extensively renovate his new Grand Designs-style pad.The Gypsy King bought the eight-bed mansion in Cheshire last year for an unknown price.
      Tyson Fury has been given the green light to extensively renovate his new Grand Designs-style padCredit: Getty
      The Gypsy King bought the eight-bed mansion in Cheshire last year for an unknown price
      He then applied to have it demolished in order to replace it with a modern mansion complete with a new pool.
      But a nature report spotted two species of bats nesting in the property’s loft meaning Fury would have have had to secure a special licence.
      This would have involved putting bat boxes in nearby trees for the common and soprano pipistrelles, but the 34-year-old changed tack.
      Fury then reapplied to extensively modernise the dilapidated building and outhouses, which are currently in place.
      Read More on Tyson Fury
      The home needs a big overhaul as Google Maps currently shows it looking like a dumping ground for used cars.
      Waste and scrubland on the plot is strewn with litter.
      Tyson and wife Paris plan to renovate the basement, add on two side extensions and an eight-metre rear extension.
      Meanwhile a new building will house a four-car garage, swimming pool and other ‘leisure facilities’ including a hot tub.
      Most read in Boxing
      And the basement will feature a music room, games room, garden room and home cinema.
      In a design statement, Fury’s planning agent said the facilities were “incidental to the enjoyment of the dwelling house”.
      The Furys, a family of eight, currently live in a £1.7 million mansion in Morecambe.
      But the new Styal house is closer to brother Tommy and Love Island girlfriend Molly-Mae Hague, who live nearby in a £3.5m mansion with new baby Bambi. 
      Tyson and wife Paris plan to renovate the basement, add on two side extensions and an eight-metre rear extension
      Common and soprano pipistrelle bats were found on-site at Fury’s new homeCredit: Alamy More

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      We live INSIDE famous entrance to Luton Town stadium – footballs smash our windows but there are surprising perks

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      STROLLING along Oak Road in Luton, the row of Victorian red brick terraced houses feel just like any other street.But halfway down the road, homes have effectively been cut in half to make way for two entrances to the town’s football ground, Kenilworth Road.
      The entrance to Luton Town FC’s ground, Kenilworth Road, is cut into a row of terraced housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Abdul Ali lives right next to the entrance for home fans at the groundCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Home to Luton Town FC – which is on the cusp of entering the Premier League next season – the ground was built in 1905 and is one of the most unique in the football league.
      Visiting fans climb bright blue metal staircases perched above resident’s gardens to access the away stand, while patios from adjacent houses back onto the stadium.
      Currently third in the Championship, Luton Town stands a strong chance of making it to the play-offs for promotion.
      If successful, the club will be handed an estimated £10million bill to upgrade its long-standing ground.

      For locals who live on the street, the thought of the team moving to a new ground throws up mixed feelings.
      Abdul Ali’s family home is metres away from the entrance and backs onto the ground.

      “I’ve lived here my whole life,” he tells The Sun. “Until about seven years ago it was really easy to see into the stadium.
      “We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score.
      Most read in Football
      The stand entrance has been cut into a row of Victorian terrace housesCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Stairs lead up to the Oak Stand, running above residents’ gardensCredit: Getty
      “It was kind of annoying at the time, it used to drive my dad mad.
      “We complained and complained and the club finally put up netting and some corrugated iron to stop it.
      “It means that my view of the pitch is gone unless I jump up and down on my bed. Then I can see a little bit of the grass, but not enough to watch the game.”
      On match days, Abdul says there is always a sea of police on the street – which, he adds, comes with an unusual perk.
      We used to have footballs smashing our window every so often when they accidentally got kicked out when teams tried to score… it drove my dad madAbdul Ali, Oak Road resident
      “I went out during Sunday’s game to get some food and then police escorted me back to my house,” he says.
      “It’s kind of cool being escorted home.”
      One of the unique entrances on Oak Road provides access to The Bobbers’ Club – part of the Luton Town football ground for 89 years.
      On leaving the street – where house prices cost an average of £222,500 – fans are led down a small alleyway before they clamber the iron stairs to a terrace leading onto the Oak Stand.
      Stray balls
      Anu’s garden is directly next to the stairs leading the seats for away fansCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Rear gardens back onto the stadiumCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Mum-of-four Anu’s garden runs beneath the terrace, and she tells us stray footballs often end up landing in it.
      “They’ve only ever asked for the ball back once,” she admits. “We’ve kept the others.”
      Anu, 52, says local families in the area used to get complimentary passes to matches from the club, but that’s not happened since Covid.
      “We used to get a family ticket to go in the summer which was nice,” she says.
      “We’d go and see a match against one of the smaller teams. It was good to get in the ground.
      “My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the games.”
      My son’s bedroom in the attic enables him to see a bit of the ground so he can sometimes see the gamesAnu, local mum-of-four
      Anu’s neighbour LeeLee says she loves the buzz of match days, adding: “It makes me feel alive. I love it.
      “It keeps things interesting around here. I rarely have any problems with the fans.”
      Sadly Anu doesn’t share her enthusiasm.
      She claims she’s fed up of hooligans chucking rubbish from the steps into her garden as they come and go.
      “Last week my house was egged by fans, they leave cans and bottles in front of my house,” she tells us.
      “They spray alcohol on to mine and my neighbour’s windows and drop litter from the stairs as they go into the stands.”
      ‘I’ll never leave’
      Residents say some fans can be disruptive and cause problems on game daysCredit: Getty
      Many families living on Oak Road have grown up in the area and are lifelong fans of the club.
      Joumna’s childhood home backed on to the stadium and she’s since moved into her own property across the road.
      The 49-year-old admits she’s noticed fan behaviour has changed over the years, adding: “I remember as a child we didn’t have as many problems.
      “Now, whichever team loses, the fans are shouting and swearing. It’s a shame.”
      She adds: “The stadium is alright with me. I was born on this road and I’ll probably never leave.
      “It was fine when I lived overlooking it. We never had any issues.”
      Driven to despair
      Resident Amanpreet is fed up of having to move her car to accommodate match goersCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      Residents are required to move their cars on match daysCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      But there is one issue that drives all residents up the wall – parking.
      Everyone who keeps a car on the street – a permit for which costs £60 a year – has to move it off Oak Road on game days or it will be seized.
      “Parking is such a problem around here,” resident Amanpreet, 34, tells us.
      “The stadium is a problem now because it attracts so many people. We have to move our car on match days but finding a space can be hard.”
      Fellow resident Malik, a 37-year-old customer services worker, shares her frustration.
      He claims he wouldn’t have bought a house if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would be.
      Malik says he wouldn’t have bought a house on the road if he’d realised how disruptive the road closures would beCredit: JOHN McLELLAN
      “I’m not happy because I pay to park my car on this road and I have to move it regularly,” he says.
      “If the game is at 5pm we have to move the car at around 10am. It’s really difficult with two young kids – it’s frustrating.”
      Another local, Khuram, 38, adds: “The parking issue is a struggle.
      “I have two young kids and walking them several streets over to the car on match days between fans is stressful.
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      “There are lots of police on match days which is good, but we often have to show that we live here to get through at the end of the road.
      “The only time I have an issue with the stadium is match days because it’s disruptive.”
      Luton Town are on the cusp of moving up into the Premier League, which would mean all changeCredit: GOOGLE EARTH More