Another route with inadequate trains 2 or 3 cars and many oversubscribed even on a normal day. Cross Country suffer badly also from lack of room. Train fairs are not cheap and you wonder why so many travel!
Not filling me with confidence guys! Did any of you go last time round? Read reports of hour long waits just to board a train! I tgink they've added more seats since we went too.
Reminds me of our first european game since being back in the prem. Rush hour service, 2 coach train that has people standing anyway and half of eastleigh trying to get on. The 4 coach Brighton service via Southampton was cancelled as it was more often than not anyway and a crowd of people were left behind. then we pulled up at Parkway with another crowd at the station and a load of people sitting down wanted to get off but couldnt move and everyone was reluctant to get off to make way as they didn't know if they would be able to get back on. at least they didn't kick people out of first class
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-v-southampton-referee-533932 Stoke City v Southampton Referee: Mike Jones Assistants: Simon Beck, Derek Eaton Fourth official: Bobby Madley
I'm nervously waiting until Thursday to get two tickets, it's going to be touch and go whether there's going to be enough left Yes we went but didn't take the train back to Brighton. As there is very little car parking at the ground the options are Park & Ride, Coach or Train. The Park and Ride is a bit of a nightmare as there are long queues waiting for a bus although I believe they do move quite quickly. The car parks aren't near to Brighton town centre though. The supporters coaches are probably the best bet as they park at the ground and get away quickly, but no chance of a beer after the game. The train option looked to be horrendous. The station is small and the access is ok but the sheer number of people clog the footbridge to the platforms (think the number of people going over the railway line at St Mary's and double it). As you say, everyone is travelling back into Brighton so the amount of people isn't divided equally between the two platforms. That's all before you get to a train, but obviously that was before they got to the Premier so hopefully the number of carriages will have been increased. If you are not driving, it's the only way of getting into Brighton for a beer. There is a pub though in Falmer village, it's supposed to be home fans only but if you don't have any colours on who's to know? There is a footbridge over the A27 to Falmer which comes out in front of the pub The Swan Inn. Have a look at Google maps.
Cheers mate good info there I've looked into pubs around the area but some reviews on football ground guide say they ask to show a home ticket so seems out of the question unfortunately. The only other option is apparently they keep the bars open after the game for an hour or so so if I want to drink stay after full time have a couple of beers before hitting the station when it's died down. Not sure if they'll allow it with our away support but might be worth a phone call nearer the time. Not a fan of supporter coaches as feels like your cattled there and back with no chance of enjoying the City. It's good that you get free travel around Brighton included in your ticket so I'd only need a return to Brighton. Good luck in getting a ticket btw mate, I'm not a STH but lucky in having someone who helps me out
If everyone is going the same direction, there will probably be a bit of a wait for trains, so maybe hop on a train going the other way, get off at the first stop, then jump on the next train back to Brighton? Might be worth checking timetables. Just a suggestion.
Not a bad shout. They run every 15 minutes apparently. I was thinking if I drove could park in Lewes and do it that way... Hell of a detour though
Think it has been mentioned before, but look at the amount of Blackburn fans clapping when it went in.
@Dark Lord SFC If I'm not mistaken you live up Stoke way don't you? How long does it take you to get down here on a Saturday morning?
True, I live near Cannock which is Jn 12 and Stoke is Jn15 and takes about 30-40 minutes as long as the M6 isn't blocked. From Southampton: M3, A34, M40, M42 North, M6 and then Jn15 to Stoke. About 3-4 hours on a decent run with no major issues or long stops at services
That should be fine, Stafford North services are decent if you are running early and situated between Jn14/15 so not far to go with no accident hotspots between you and Stoke
Cheers again mate. I've managed to convince myself Palace this and Brighton will be 3 new grounds for me in the space of 6 weeks so pretty decent
