In Focus: Avanti West Coast - All Aboard For Better Match Travel
Football has had a long-standing relationship with the railways. Now, one train company that already welcome aboard clubs big and small want to bring more on the journey of greener travel.
Ever since the birth of the modern railways 200 years ago, football has always had a link with trains. Whether it be through teams like Manchester United and Crewe Alexandra formed by local railway workers or the numerous ‘football specials’ that have taken fans up and down to important games every year, the railway has made football moments happen.
The rail industry estimates at least 34 million rail journeys are made for football every year, whether that be fans on the move or clubs going to games. And, as clubs look to cut their carbon footprint on match travel, sides are increasingly turning to the railways to get players and support staff to their games.
“Rail is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel and has a big role to play in helping to tackle climate change,” says Matt Wild, Director of Football Operations & Administration at Wolverhampton Wanderers who use Avanti West Coast to move their people by train to Premier League games in London.
“We like that Avanti has recently introduced the newly built Hitachi electric trains which we travel on to London. It is a move away from diesel use and provides a much greener way for us to travel,” continued Wild. “This is absolutely a consideration for us, as we are looking to become a net zero carbon football club by 2040.”
It also makes Wild more comfortable knowing his side will get to the game by avoiding congested cities. He says: “Coach traffic on the roads is so unpredictable, especially in and around London. Travelling by rail with Avanti means we can plan our schedule with much more certainty.”
The railways are sometimes thought of as an expensive way to travel, but clubs of varying sizes, with various budgets, are using rail within their various constraints.
“Travelling with Avanti West Coast actually saves us £3,000 per game in hotel fees,” says Accrington Stanley’s Club Secretary, Mark Turner. “It gives us a fast and reliable option to travel on the day of the fixture, scrapping the need for an overnight stay before the game and the additional expense of a late check out from a hotel.
“It also reduces the down time before matches, where players would be kicking their heels and losing focus until the match transfer to the stadium.”
The safety and comfort of the players has also been cited as a reason clubs choose rail for their colleague travel, with the support given by onboard teams to make them feel safe and supported as a key factor.
“Boarding is fantastic and never an issue. We always have Avanti Hosts on Avanti services who look after us every step of the way. Our players and support team love the fact we have them and the regular onboard First-Class teams looking after us. They are always polite and helpful,” says Karen Wilson, Head of Training Ground Operations at Championship side, Millwall, who leads travel organisation for the Lions.
“The layout of the carriages makes it perfect for group travel. Players have space to walk around the carriage should they need to do so that they are not sat for long periods of time, and staff are able to work comfortably onboard whilst travelling,” adds Wild.
Turner, of Accrington is delighted at the support they receive at the stations, stating: “The alighting at Euston is always good as the Avanti team are on hand to get a swift transfer to our team coach outside the station.
“We also use Milton Keynes Central when we are playing sides around that area and the station team there are also really great at being ready to let us through to the coach from the platforms.
“That also shows how well the rail companies work together on travel like this, because although it is an Avanti service we are using, the station is actually run by another company. So, it shows they are working together to support football club travel.”
Avanti has worked with over a third of the current 92 teams in the Premier League and English Football League, as well as several National League teams. Even clubs that aren’t physically located on the West Coast have used their services to get to their games, such as Luton Town and Portsmouth FC.
“It is exciting to be offering a dedicated service for football clubs to travel with us, supporting their goal to get key employees to games in the best condition for a match,” says Avanti Sales Operations & Service Delivery Manager, Alex Monro-Jones.
“We understand there may be many questions about taking a team by train. That’s why we do many things to make the process as simple as possible.
“This includes site visits to stations, so club travel organisers can see how their staff will flow from train to ground. We ensure that all requirements are met where possible, such as dietary requirements onboard, exclusive carriages or special stop requests on our route.
“For example, we’ve recently been able to add a stop at Watford Junction into services, picking up team members of London clubs who may live in Hertfordshire. That flexibility has been really appreciated by teams using us.
“Clubs can charter whole trains and separate VIP travel can also be arranged for non-playing staff, such as executives and directors.” Monro-Jones is delighted that clubs have highlighted the support given to them by the dedicated Avanti Hosts and service team.
“I’m proud of my colleagues who work these services. They ensure everyone in the club is kept up to date if there are delays or other challenges. They have a good rapport with the travelling teams and love welcoming them onboard and getting them to the games,” he added.
With unreliability around football fixtures causing plenty of headaches already for club officials, the last thing they want is the train ticket bill going up due to a moved fixture. And clubs trying to budget ahead can find comfort in travelling with Avanti.
“Fares for football clubs are fixed over the course of a season,” Monro-Jones, adds. “As many clubs book at short notice due to awaiting fixture confirmation, the price freeze ensures rail is an extremely competitive mode of transport for clubs.
“And if the fixture gets postponed at the last minute, we allow the booking to be rearranged to the new date at no extra cost if the team hasn’t already travelled.”
For some, letting the train take the strain has not been something on their radar, despite the certainty it gives teams on budgets and logistics and the huge benefit to the environment.
However, as we celebrate 200 years of Britain’s biggest gift to the world, it may be time for more football clubs to hop on board the benefits of travelling by train.
For more information, visit: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/tickets-andsavings/group-travel/avanti-vip or contact: Avanti.VIP@avantiwestcoast.co.uk
Images: Avanti West Coast
