Coach to Bristol

Redash · 16-12-2006, 10:47

I've just been down to book onto the coach for the Bristol game, it's been cancelled.

Does anybody know of any other arrangements, 'cause it looks like I may be driving otherwise.

maccawozzagod · 16-12-2006, 12:50

its been coming for a few weeks. The coaches have not been well supported at all. All the away travellers need to look at whether they could have supported it more. I fear they will not run sporadic buses it will be either all or nothing. But, some of the prices are daft such as Rochdale and Bury £10! I got a taxi to Bury and back for a fiver each, Rochdale, you can get a day ticket for about four quid and travel anywhere on that route all day long for free. If they pitched the price a lot lower they could fill ten coaches. I understand that the nearer matches have to subsidise the longer trips, but most people would rather walk than pay a tenner to go 10 miles up t'road.

stanleybabe · 17-12-2006, 15:30

Apparently it's been cancelled because more than a week before the actual game, only two people have booked on. Steve, who was driving the team coach yesterday, made a 'phone call and then told us that Fraser Eagle would run the coach if they could get 30 names. At the game yesterday, Jill got 15 names without even trying. So, I suggest that if you're interested in going to Bristol on Saturday, you give Fraser Eagle a ring and book on. If they say that the coach is cancelled, you can repeat what's in this post.

Thanks

Stanleybabe

Dan · 17-12-2006, 20:28

Is it just me that finds it a bizarre situation where the club's main sponsor (who are, let's not forget a COACH COMPANY) aren't prepared to provide a coach for a faraway match a week before it happens?
If the figure of 3 people booked on is true, then clearly it can't run, but how many people could put their name down in the coming week?
I can't help but think that it's a pretty awful reflection on the company's commitment to the football club that they would make a decison so soon...

I certainly know that the press contingent would be interested in a coach trip, but now that may not be possible. I for one will be on the phone to Fraser Eagle tomorrow.

fc:stanley · 17-12-2006, 20:41

Good on you dan , i was going to book with fraser for this match aswell!

John_Timmins · 17-12-2006, 20:55

i think the major problem is now that fraser run it there is no-one at the games asking people and letting them book on there and then, possible fraser could offer the post to someone to take naems and payment at the games and then give them free travel for doing it.....might be worth somebody asking

ps ultras minibus is going to the game...see ultras site for details

KIPAX · 17-12-2006, 21:40

Have to say.. I am sure I read somewhere that fraser eagle said they would run a coach to every away game this season.... no small print..

Tin Monkey · 18-12-2006, 10:06

As a business, it's understandable why FE are unwilling to run coaches to games where there are hardly any customers. Stanley do not have a large away following, however much we'd like to think we have. For the coach to be successful it needed all those who normally travel by coach to support the scheme, rather than the devisive outcome we've ended up with.

It's a shame that the coach scheme has been a flop, but it doesn't surprise me.

Dan · 18-12-2006, 13:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_Timmins

ps ultras minibus is going to the game...see ultras site for details

Just a thought, but could the Ultras organise to get a bigger bus like in the Conference glory days?
That'd really show Fraser Eagle up...

Outback Ozzy · 18-12-2006, 17:05

See fishy site - FE running a coach to Bristol

stanleybabe · 18-12-2006, 17:30

I rang Fraser Eagle this afternoon. I was told there was definitely NO coach to Bristol on Saturday. I told the woman that I was speaking to what Steve had said and she put me through to Bill who confirmed there was definitely NO coach running. I come home from work, check the fishy site and there IS a coach to Bristol. I feel like I'm in the middle of a pantomime - oh no there isn't, oh yes there is!
I will ring again tomorrow and try to book a seat!

Stanleybabe

Dan · 18-12-2006, 17:44

I too spoke to them just before 5 (as promised earlier) and they said that the coach WOULD NOT run if they didn't have 25 people definitely confirmed. Currently they have 11, although that includes us 4 press types who now probably can't travel on the coach anyway as they seemed to think that the driver wouldn't wait for us to attend the post match press conference.

Regardless, the message just before the office shut was that withou 25 there is no coach.
Call me a cynic, but either the statement on the website has a touch of "spin" about it, or the company are telling little white lies...

John_Timmins · 18-12-2006, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan

Just a thought, but could the Ultras organise to get a bigger bus like in the Conference glory days?
That'd really show Fraser Eagle up...

I don't think we would want to show fraser eagle up to be honest, they have provided the fans team with travel to all the away games this season through sponsorship.

also coaches end up having police escorts in and out of towns, or directions to the driver to leave as soon as the game is finished, this means we don't get any sort of a drink after the game, as well as on the way home.

we could do it like shown in the past but dont think we would want to

maccawozzagod · 18-12-2006, 19:11

theres nowt to stop anybody who wants to run a coach having it stop a few miles down the road for a drink. This has been done many times before and, although not as enjoyable as taking a clubhouse, has always been a good craic.

The main problem with running coaches is appealing to the masses. Some dont like early set-offs (10.30 to Mansfield?), some dont like leaving late after the game, some dont like the lack of drinking and smoking. Maybe the future lies in a series of self-drive mini-buses. Get some sort of rota going with ten designated drivers (who all travel for free when driving), five drive one week, the other five the week after.

KIPAX · 18-12-2006, 20:47

Mick Schultz phoned them from the ground tonight in front of me and he was told by Bill definitely no coach to Bristol and he relayed that to me...

Maybe left hand, right hand at fraser eagle and there a bit mixed up.. I wouldnt go saying there is or there isnt at this point.