Football Specials

[spyinthesky]

How many on here remember the old railway football specials?

 

They were all the rage until hooliganism took over and trains were wrecked on a regular basis.

 

I recollect going to the 63 semi at Villa Park on one of about 7 or 8 special trains from the Central.

 

Going down the hill to the Central and seeing hordes of Saints fans waiting to board trains was really something.

 

Also took an overnight special from the old Docks Station to Hull a year or so later getting into a cold and foggy Hull around 6am and wandering round until the match started at 3pm

 

Both games lost 1-0!!

 

Anyway understand that Football Specials have started again in a small way using decent rolling stock now stabled at Eastleigh.

 

Wonder if something could be done for the JPT direct to the nearest mainline station to Wembley?

 

If you think about it there are probably only 150 or so coaches in the area, maybe 200. They could only take a maximum of 5,000 people to Wembley leaving upwards of 40,000 to go by the Sunday service SWT service or by road and tube.

 

Love to see a train full of Saints fans (pulled by steam!!)

 

I'll get my anorak!!

[brianoneils slidingtackle]

I remember very well the football special to Notts Forest, in fact I think we ran two football special trains for the cup game (correct me If Im wrong)

 

And the LeagueLiner football train and football league reviews in the middle of the programmes, happy days because I was young then...

[david in sweden]

How many on here remember the old railway football specials?

They were all the rage until hooliganism took over and trains were wrecked on a regular basis.

 

I recollect going to the 63 semi at Villa Park on one of about 7 or 8 special trains from the Central. Going down the hill to the Central and seeing hordes of Saints fans waiting to board trains was really something.

 

Also took an overnight special from the old Docks Station to Hull a year or so later getting into a cold and foggy Hull around 6am and wandering round until the match started at 3pm Both games lost 1-0!!

 

Anyway understand that Football Specials have started again in a small way using decent rolling stock now stabled at Eastleigh.Wonder if something could be done for the JPT direct to the nearest mainline station to Wembley?

 

If you think about it there are probably only 150 or so coaches in the area, maybe 200. They could only take a maximum of 5,000 people to Wembley leaving upwards of 40,000 to go by the Sunday service SWT service or by road and tube.Love to see a train full of Saints fans (pulled by steam!!)

 

I'll get my anorak!!

 

I remember that 63 Semi Final ..and the trains..and one of the worst and most boring games I've ever seen...after those THREE magnificent games v. Notts.Forest.

 

You're quite right of course. The combined transport systems currently available don't even dent the problem of how potentailly 40,000 people will get to Wembley ..AND BACK:confused:

 

Maybe Nicole Cortese can come up with a good solution ?.....it's fairly obvious that the British Railway system can't!