Cardiff City at Wembley - need for Extra Coaches?

[whole diary]

[IanC]

Two additional trains in each direction.

http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2054843,00.html

Trains are now showing up on the National Rail website as running non stop from Newport to Paddington, with the returns an Extension of trains Paddington -> Temple Meads.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) press release:

BTP CALLS ON CARDIFF CITY FANS TO KEEP BEHAVIOUR IN CHECK ON SATURDAY

British Transport Police (BTP) officers are calling on Cardiff City fans to ^keep it clean^ and help make sure football fans, families and other passengers can all travel safely to and from Wembley for the Championship Play-Off Final on Saturday 22 May.

Between 35,000 and 40,000 Cardiff fans are expected to make their way from South Wales to London^s Wembley Stadium to watch the game, many of them using trains and the Tube to get to and from the venue.

BTP officers will be patrolling on board trains, Tubes and at stations between South Wales and London to make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible.

Officers want it to be family day to remember and are calling on fans using the rail and Tube network to remember that alcohol will not be allowed on board ANY trains in either direction between Carmarthen/Swansea/Cardiff Central and London, as well as additional trains running between Cardiff and London via Bristol Temple Meads.

BTP^s Sector Commander for Wales, Chief Inspector Sandra England, said: ^Saturday promises to be a great day of football for Cardiff fans and our officers will be helping everyone to enjoy it, as well as ensuring fans travel to and from the game safely. Throughout the entire day, we^ll have officers patrolling stations and on trains between South Wales and London and they will not tolerate intimidating or anti-social behaviour from those intent on spoiling the day for others. Trains are confined spaces and it can be a very intimidating experience for families and children when they find themselves in a carriage packed with boisterous fans. Of course, we want fans to have a good time and enjoy the big day and we appreciate the vast majority are always well behaved ^ but we are warning anyone who steps out of line while travelling on the rail network will be dealt with by our officers. Not only are they risking a court appearance, they also risk missing out on seeing their club^s biggest match for decades. Alcohol will be banned on both the forward and return train journeys between key South Wales and London Paddington and is banned on the Tube at all times. In addition, extra trains between Cardiff Central and London Paddington via Bristol Temple Meads will also be alcohol-free on Saturday."

Chief Inspector England added: ^We want everyone travelling to and from the match to enjoy themselves but we know from experience that some fans can get caught up in the excitement of the day and this, combined with alcohol, can result in some less-than-desirable behaviour. We^re asking fans to show some consideration for others on board the train and to moderate their language and behaviour - but above all to enjoy the day.^

First Great Western's head of security, Paula Durrans, said: "We are expecting high levels of fans to be travelling to the match with us and we want everyone to have a safe and pleasant journey. With great weather forecast for the weekend, it should be a fun day out for all the family. Although there will be extra trains to get fans to the match, we would advise people to book their seats in advance for the most comfortable journey possible."

BTP^s tips for football fans:

Do:

Allow plenty of time for getting to and from the game as there will be long queues for trains
Keep your language clean
Enjoy the game and have a great day out

Don^t:

Take alcohol on train services or the Tube on Saturday ^ it^s banned
Leave it till the last minute to go from your meeting place to the stadium
Miss the game because you^ve been arrested for anti-social behaviour

Dry Trains on Saturday 22 May 2010:

Intoxicating liquor (alcohol) cannot be bought, carried or consumed on the following services:

:: All trains between Carmarthen/Swansea/Cardiff Central and London Paddington (in both directions)

:: The 1055 Cardiff Central-London Paddington via Bristol Temple Meads (dep Bristol 1200)

:: The 1930 London Paddington ^ Cardiff Central, via Bristol Temple Meads

:: The 2000 London Paddington ^ Cardiff Central, via Bristol Temple Meads.

[inspector_blakey]

My theory is because the current Customer Service Director has absolutely no experience in Customer Service. Neil Micklethwaite is also Commercial Director. Two hats that do not sit well together.

I don't have the magazine with me to check, but I believe there was a footnote in the last issue of RAIL suggesting that Neil Micklethwaite might be leaving FGW^▸ (First Great Western), although I believe there was no official comment on this suggestion.

[JayMac]

My commiserations to all the Cardiff City fans travelling back home by train tonight. And not even the chance to drown your sorrows, what with all the trains out of PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) to South Wales being 'dry'!

Still, on a more positive note, we can look forward to the Tao of Ian Holloway on Match Of The Day next season.

"Every dog has it's day, and today was woof day" 

[John R]

Thank you for your commiserations although I have to say that the best team won on the day, with the half time score line flattering Cardiff IMHO^▸ (in my humble opinion). And if the enthusiasm and noise of the fans was being scored then it would be 5-0 to Blackpool, as they drowned City supporters out from before the kick off to the final whistle.

Still, this dejected fan managed to get a couple of cans on the 1730 to Weston as a consolation. Next year we must try and get in the top 2.