Kick off times for football and train timetables.

[Howardh]

Noting today Plymouth/Carlisle ko was 3pm meaning anyone from Carlisle wanting to go by train had no way of getting back in the same day.

Now, the train companies aren't gonna put on extra trains for a handful of fans, but I would have thought arrangements could be put in place where the KO, wherever practical, could be brought forward so fans COULD catch the last train home if it's long distance?

If a game is brought forward an hour, to suit visiting fans better, is it the end of the world, or are there some regulations in the FA that insist games must KO at 3pm?

 

[johnnychips]

They used to have to be synchronised for the football pools, eons ago.

 

[EM2]

The FA basically don't care about fans, especially when it comes to the FA Cup.
Games on a Sunday in Nottingham and Sunderland, that kick off before the first train from London gets there.
The FA Cup Final kicking off at 5pm, when there aren't trains to get fans home afterwards.
If they brought this game forward, how early would you have to leave Carlisle to get to Plymouth for 2pm? And would there still be a train to get back, it must be something like seven hours by train?

 

[Bald Rick]

What about mid-week matches?

And Plymouth v Carlisle is about as extreme as it gets. Besides, the clubs are pretty good at putting on coaches, and they are usually cheaper.

Or to be blunter, why should 6,000 people have their normal Saturdays messed up for the sake of a handful of people who want to use the train and come back the same day rather than any of the alternatives options (coach, drive, lift share, hotel)

 

[Darandio]

If it's any earlier, the complaints are that they can't get there in time. Later, they can't get home. You cannot change extreme geography.

 

[Gemz91]

Sky Sports would just come along and move the game to suit them anyway (alright I realise that Sky didnt show the Plymouth Carlisle game but I'll still take any chance I can to rant about Sky!)

 

[Bungle965]

Sky Sports would just come along and move the game to suit them anyway (alright I realise that Sky didnt show the Plymouth Carlisle game but I'll still take any chance I can to rant about Sky!)

Not a fan?
Sam

 

[306024]

At the end of the day there are more modes of transport than just trains. At £183 return by train I'm guessing Carlisle fans would have organised a coach if they had the stamina for the journey.

 

[Gemz91]

Not a fan?
Sam

Not at all! But this is not the thread to discuss that in I guess.

 

[yorkie]

I'm sure they did run a coach! They ran one for the league game at Plymouth.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm sure they did run a coach! They ran one for the league game at Plymouth.

There is almost always some kind of official away fan coach transport for football matches.

 

[greatkingrat]

First train from Carlisle arrived 1240
Last train from Plymouth was 1425

So whenever you hold the game it would be impossible to get there and back by train in a day.

 

[Bungle965]

Yes i seem to remember when Manchester City had a game against Crystal Palace and there was engineering works on the WCML meaning that they would not be able to get back down and up within the day. City put on coaches free for all of the supporters traveling down.
Sam

 

[thenorthern]

Carlisle United vs Plymouth Argyle is an exception rather than the rule. In Scotland games against Ross County are difficult given the clubs location.

Most league clubs though in England are in the Midlands and the North so there isn't as much of an issue.

 

[Howardh]

First train from Carlisle arrived 1240
Last train from Plymouth was 1425

So whenever you hold the game it would be impossible to get there and back by train in a day.

That's true, I had assumed there would be an early morning train with connections, but the point was generally when one club has some distance to travel, not just this particular game.

Carlisle United vs Plymouth Argyle is an exception rather than the rule. In Scotland games against Ross County are difficult given the clubs location.
Most league clubs though in England are in the Midlands and the North so there isn't as much of an issue.

Which is why I pondered couldn't clubs in these extreme situations fix games around public transport as games these distances are quite rare and not going to upset the usual 3pm scheme of things?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I'm sure they did run a coach! They ran one for the league game at Plymouth.

In the past couple of seasons my lot (4th division team then) didn't send any coaches (no demand) to some games but the clubs away support is regarded as being quite large, even for 200+ miles games. Think the majority of away fans want to drive (more convenient if not more expensive) or go by train (er, beer might have something to do with that!).

 

[CallySleeper]

I understand there was also complaints because Newcastle fans had to leave or be up for 2-3am to get to Bournemouth for a 12.45 game.

 

[Cletus]

Wasn't it Carlisle who played their league game at Plymouth recently on a Tuesday night?