The scheduling of football matches at TV-friendly times is limiting live fans’ travel options and thus boosting coach operators’ takings, believes the Head of Coach Hire Comparison (CHC).
Matt Hanson has written in a LinkedIn blog that the appearance of more matches on television is leading to spikes in enquiries on the quote comparison site as he says some fixtures are proving impossible to attend via train.
He also points out a potential issue affecting coach travel on the weekend of the final of the Carabao Cup on 25 February, should Middlesbrough pull through their semi-final tie tonight.
Mr Hanson writes: “There is a blatant disregard for the football fan. There have been a few fixture changes that have left supporters scratching their heads.”
He highlights Arsenal’s Premier League home game against Newcastle on 24 February – which, due to TNT securing TV broadcast rights, was moved to 2000hrs. With the last train back to the North East that night due to leave at 2100hrs, groups of travelling fans have been using CHC in high numbers to look at coach options.
However, the situation could look more complex for coach operators if Middlesbrough convert their 1-0 first-leg win at home into a surprise victory against Chelsea in the second leg this evening. It would mean the coach exodus from London to the North East on the Saturday night would be followed by a quick return southwards to Wembley for some of those vehicles on the following morning.
James Stokes, CHC’s Managing Director, says: “The potential impact on Middlesbrough fans could be huge if they get through. We have spoken to several of our local suppliers, and they are moving supporters on the Saturday. The coaches will be double-manned meaning that, even if the coaches will be back and available for use on the Sunday, which is quite tight, there will be nobody to step behind the wheel of what will again be a double-manned requirement.
“There is extremely limited driver availability, which means many operators will be looking at agency drivers or simply saying they have nothing left. This will mean utilising coach operators from other areas, which will result in increased pricing, hitting supporters with inflated travel costs.
“With an allocation of circa 30,000, it could get rather interesting around the travel movements. The train again presents potential problems with a kick-off of 1630hrs and a final service to Middlesbrough being at 2000hrs. If they do qualify, fans will be dreading the implications of extra time!”
CHC’s increased business linked to football scheduling comes amid two deals for the 2023-24 season with Derby County and Accrington Stanley respectively to display banner advertising during games. It is part of a plan to accelerate UK growth since being acquired by the CMAC Group in June 2023.
