11th May Kick off 5.15 Confirmed

[M18CTID]

When did everyone become such moaners? Two years ago most of us would have crawled home over broken glass having played in a major final and now the place is full of idiots asking for it to be moved to Old Trafford or moaning that it kicks off at 5.15. If it is too much of a hardship don't go and leave it to those who are bright enough to overcome minor travel issues.

Spot on pal, can't understand why fans concerned don't just book on one of the official coach's, cheaper than the train and "guaranteed" to get home.

It's not much cheaper at all if you book an off-peak day Travelcard in advance and if you think announcing a kick-off time that rides roughshod over those fans wishing to travel by train and you're ok with parking on Wembley's coach park and spending up to 7 hours getting home then fine. Personally, I'd like to get back a bit quicker than I did on Sunday rather than taking almost 3 hours to get out of London alone. There's fuck-all fun in that and that's coming from someone who's done his fair share of shit journeys down the years.

 

[armadillo495]

Sorry for hijacking this thread. Not sure I have enough posts to start one myself....

Just wondering if anyone hired and can hence recommend, mini-bus/mini-van hire. Perhaps 6/7 seats or maybe 15/16 seats. What's a typical price per person?

 

[AD4]

When did everyone become such moaners? Two years ago most of us would have crawled home over broken glass having played in a major final and now the place is full of idiots asking for it to be moved to Old Trafford or moaning that it kicks off at 5.15. If it is too much of a hardship don't go and leave it to those who are bright enough to overcome minor travel issues.

Spot on pal, can't understand why fans concerned don't just book on one of the official coach's, cheaper than the train and "guaranteed" to get home.

It's not much cheaper at all if you book an off-peak day Travelcard in advance and if you think announcing a kick-off time that rides roughshod over those fans wishing to travel by train and you're ok with parking on Wembley's coach park and spending up to 7 hours getting home then fine. Personally, I'd like to get back a bit quicker than I did on Sunday rather than taking almost 3 hours to get out of London alone. There's fuck-all fun in that and that's coming from someone who's done his fair share of shit journeys down the years.

Agree with the most recent post. All fans are more than ecstatic at the prospect of another day at Wembley. But just because of that, there's no reason why we shouldn't dispute and disagree with any issues that arise out of it.
This thread is about the K/O time which in combination with the travel situation is somewhat frustrating to say the least. As well as the fact the same issues were faced last year by supporters from Liverpool (was it for the semi against Everton or in the final?) as far as I can remember?

 

[M18CTID]

Spot on pal, can't understand why fans concerned don't just book on one of the official coach's, cheaper than the train and "guaranteed" to get home.

It's not much cheaper at all if you book an off-peak day Travelcard in advance and if you think announcing a kick-off time that rides roughshod over those fans wishing to travel by train and you're ok with parking on Wembley's coach park and spending up to 7 hours getting home then fine. Personally, I'd like to get back a bit quicker than I did on Sunday rather than taking almost 3 hours to get out of London alone. There's fuck-all fun in that and that's coming from someone who's done his fair share of shit journeys down the years.

Agree with the most recent post. All fans are more than ecstatic at the prospect of another day at Wembley. But just because of that, there's no reason why we shouldn't dispute and disagree with any issues that arise out of it.
This thread is about the K/O time which in combination with the travel situation is somewhat frustrating to say the least. As well as the fact the same issues were faced last year by supporters from Liverpool (was it for the semi against Everton or in the final?) as far as I can remember?

Exactly. I'm not one to normally complain, but due consideration should be given to those fans that would like an alternative to travelling down by coach and having to bite the bullet with getting off Wembley's coach park and crawling through London afterwards. Wigan fans have it even worse with their last train back being at 8.31PM.

Liverpool fans were up in arms about the final last year - their travel opportunities by rail were even more limited as there was extensive engineering works planned that disrupted most train services that weekend.

 

[Bill]

this is another thing that adds to my feeling that football has gone. no consideration at all to travelling fans.

Saturday, no work the next day. Suits everyone I'd have thought except those travelling by train....and even then we might find an extra couple of trains added to the timetable

lets hope so.

i should be in work the next day, i'm not going to be but i should be really.

 

[Eds]

People are forgetting that if, as in my case, you have young children who want to attend the game, you are either looking at an overnight stay which is added expense or returning home late at night. There is no footballing reason why the game can't kick off at 3.00pm. At least then people aren't worried about late nights, missing trains etc etc. Pure greed from the money men, nothing more.

 

[M18CTID]

Virgin confirm no extra trains home:

The overall situation

The FA Cup final is due to take place between Wigan Athletic and Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday 11 May with a 17:15 kick off. Because of the possibility of extra time and penalties, Wigan and Manchester City supporters will be unlikely to see the end of the match and catch any advertised return service back to Wigan or Manchester that evening. The last departure from Euston to Wigan North Western is at 20:31 and to Manchester Piccadilly is at 21:00.

• FA confirms late Cup final kick-off

This is the normal departure times for the last services from Euston to Wigan and Manchester Piccadilly on a Saturday evening. The railway for longer distance travel on the West Coast Main Line closes earlier on a Saturday to give Network Rail sufficient time to carry out essential maintenance and inspections on Western Europe's busiest mixed traffic railway.

The FA's position

We have had a direct dialogue with both the FA and Wembley Stadium that if team(s) from the North West were to be involved in the FA Cup final at Wembley then a 17:15 kick off would mean supporters would be unable to return to the North West that evening.

We appreciate that the FA do have major commercial considerations in agreeing to a teatime kick off, but to be fair to all concerned we thought that that at least it (the FA) should be made aware of the situation as soon as possible.

Why can't you run extra trains?

The unpredictability of exactly when the match will end, coupled with the earlier close down of the route for essential maintenance and inspection means that the planning of any additional services is extremely difficult given the high numbers of supporters that would attempt to return to the North West that evening. We would much rather that everyone fully understands the position well in advance so that that they can make their plans accordingly.

What can you offer supporters who want to travel by rail?

We are of course more than happy to bring Wigan and Manchester City supporters down to London on the Saturday and for them to return on the Sunday. We are looking at the possibility of running an additional service from Wigan on Saturday morning. The 20 minute frequency from Manchester to Euston on Saturday morning will meet the expected demand from the City supporters.

Are there any other train operators who could help get supporters back to the North West ?

There are specialised train charter companies separate from Virgin Trains who might be prepared to run a special service(s). They would need to discuss with Network Rail timings and routes.

 

[abitheblue]

M18CTID where did you get this from. I heard Virgin would not confirm trains or no extra trains tomorrow?

Virgin confirm no extra trains home:

The overall situation

The FA Cup final is due to take place between Wigan Athletic and Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday 11 May with a 17:15 kick off. Because of the possibility of extra time and penalties, Wigan and Manchester City supporters will be unlikely to see the end of the match and catch any advertised return service back to Wigan or Manchester that evening. The last departure from Euston to Wigan North Western is at 20:31 and to Manchester Piccadilly is at 21:00.

• FA confirms late Cup final kick-off

This is the normal departure times for the last services from Euston to Wigan and Manchester Piccadilly on a Saturday evening. The railway for longer distance travel on the West Coast Main Line closes earlier on a Saturday to give Network Rail sufficient time to carry out essential maintenance and inspections on Western Europe's busiest mixed traffic railway.

The FA's position

We have had a direct dialogue with both the FA and Wembley Stadium that if team(s) from the North West were to be involved in the FA Cup final at Wembley then a 17:15 kick off would mean supporters would be unable to return to the North West that evening.

We appreciate that the FA do have major commercial considerations in agreeing to a teatime kick off, but to be fair to all concerned we thought that that at least it (the FA) should be made aware of the situation as soon as possible.

Why can't you run extra trains?

The unpredictability of exactly when the match will end, coupled with the earlier close down of the route for essential maintenance and inspection means that the planning of any additional services is extremely difficult given the high numbers of supporters that would attempt to return to the North West that evening. We would much rather that everyone fully understands the position well in advance so that that they can make their plans accordingly.

What can you offer supporters who want to travel by rail?

We are of course more than happy to bring Wigan and Manchester City supporters down to London on the Saturday and for them to return on the Sunday. We are looking at the possibility of running an additional service from Wigan on Saturday morning. The 20 minute frequency from Manchester to Euston on Saturday morning will meet the expected demand from the City supporters.

Are there any other train operators who could help get supporters back to the North West ?

There are specialised train charter companies separate from Virgin Trains who might be prepared to run a special service(s). They would need to discuss with Network Rail timings and routes.

 

[M18CTID]

Here you go mate:

<a class="postlink" href="http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/story?storyId=1414819" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://m.espn.go.com/soccer/story?storyId=1414819</a>

 

[St Helens Blue (Exiled)]

Virgin confirm no extra trains home:

The overall situation

The FA Cup final is due to take place between Wigan Athletic and Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday 11 May with a 17:15 kick off. Because of the possibility of extra time and penalties, Wigan and Manchester City supporters will be unlikely to see the end of the match and catch any advertised return service back to Wigan or Manchester that evening. The last departure from Euston to Wigan North Western is at 20:31 and to Manchester Piccadilly is at 21:00.

• FA confirms late Cup final kick-off

This is the normal departure times for the last services from Euston to Wigan and Manchester Piccadilly on a Saturday evening. The railway for longer distance travel on the West Coast Main Line closes earlier on a Saturday to give Network Rail sufficient time to carry out essential maintenance and inspections on Western Europe's busiest mixed traffic railway.

The FA's position

We have had a direct dialogue with both the FA and Wembley Stadium that if team(s) from the North West were to be involved in the FA Cup final at Wembley then a 17:15 kick off would mean supporters would be unable to return to the North West that evening.

We appreciate that the FA do have major commercial considerations in agreeing to a teatime kick off, but to be fair to all concerned we thought that that at least it (the FA) should be made aware of the situation as soon as possible.

Why can't you run extra trains?

The unpredictability of exactly when the match will end, coupled with the earlier close down of the route for essential maintenance and inspection means that the planning of any additional services is extremely difficult given the high numbers of supporters that would attempt to return to the North West that evening. We would much rather that everyone fully understands the position well in advance so that that they can make their plans accordingly.

What can you offer supporters who want to travel by rail?

We are of course more than happy to bring Wigan and Manchester City supporters down to London on the Saturday and for them to return on the Sunday. We are looking at the possibility of running an additional service from Wigan on Saturday morning. The 20 minute frequency from Manchester to Euston on Saturday morning will meet the expected demand from the City supporters.

Are there any other train operators who could help get supporters back to the North West ?

There are specialised train charter companies separate from Virgin Trains who might be prepared to run a special service(s). They would need to discuss with Network Rail timings and routes.

Well my 50-50 chances of going are now fucked unless my mate drives.
What a fucking joke.