Independent Coaches

[Red&White]

Will there be midget porn showing on the in-coach tv?

 

Oh man .......now you`r talking !

 

 

 

 

 

On a serious note good idea

[liebherr driver]

Would definitely be interested, as would my mates. Always a pain in ther arse making arrangements to travel. Fair play mush.

[Barney Trubble]

If someone can be arsed to put themselves out by organising a coach for an awayday, I wouldn't begrudge the organiser a couple of quid in his pocket for the hassle.

 

I've organised stag do's on occasions, and trying to round up everyones money is a flippin nightmare.

 

Fair play to Stu, I say.

 

I second that too. It's hard graft chasing people up for money, your phone bill goes through the roof, plus your petrol and you always get a few skinflints who want to give you a bit of money, here and there, instead of in one go.

 

I'd think it was perfectly reasonable for Stu make a few quid out of it for the hassle that comes with it. You are getting a cheaper but still good quality coach and a structured day that'll allow you to watch the match with likeminded folk and have a few beers before and after the game.

 

Nothing wrong with making a few quid for yourself, it's hardly exploiting fans as some of the drama queens on here seem to think.

[instinct]

I'd be up for it

[lambertsrightleg]

at last somebody has spotted the hole in the market!! good work

[sperm_john]

yeah me and some lads would be up for a more user friendly coach journey e.g one that factors in beer

[CitySaint]

Having lived in Scotland for a few years, 75% of the fan base of the Old firm support gets to and from games in exactly the way proposed in this thread(usuallly buses are named after former players 'I got the Tommy Burns IV to a couple of hoops games' . Small groups organise buses (sometimes linked to season tickets and pubs) and it works a treat. Drinking, pub stops, blokes having a laugh are all part of the culture and I'd love to see Saints doing this!!! I'd be so happy with a Winchester stop and would commit over a season if required. Make it happen !!!

[Ewell]

Anyone begrudging Stu a bit of 'pocket money' could always get off their arses and organise something themselves!

 

Fair play to Stu and his coach sounds like a good day out and if I lived down that way I would certainly give them a try.

[Michelle]

It's a shame Saints Away Supporters couldn't keep running in it's original guise - purely to provide away day info/travel options, run coaches, and out of whatever money was made/donated provide a free trip somewhere for a bunch of deserving fans (as per the Manchester City trip that took place).

 

Unfortunately it got railroaded into following a path it shouldn't have, and the whole TSA/ Saints Trust debacle ensued. If Stu is prepared to help fans out off his own back, and deal with all the potential hassle that comes with it (as I found out years ago), fair play.

[StuRomseySaint]

I may well pilot the service for Yeovil, if not then definately Gillingham, if it goes well then will launch a full service next season.

[Pat from Poole]

I started going on Independant coaches back in the late 70's when they were run by Rolly and Bernie Watts, later to be taken over by Clive Foley.

 

These trips were great fun and still see many o those who travelled on those trips at games today, including Sam Vokes Dad Tim, Nick Ilingsworth and many others.

 

Trips to Blackpool 2 coaches where we arrived at 8am on morning of the game, Anderlecht (2 or 3 coaches), Limerick will live long in the memory.

 

 

Later back in the early eighties I arranged with a mate transit vans or coaches from Salisbury to most away games including coaches to Pompey, Blackburn, Sheff Weds x 2 and Everton x 2 Semi-Final.

 

In 2003 cup run organised 3 mini buses to semi final and 5 to Final.

 

Like you Stuart, I organised pubs to stop on route and on way back form games, on way to Villa Park semi we got near Gloucester a pub to open early for us to have breakfast on way to game.

 

It's hard work to organise such travel and your constantly let down by people but very satisfying when it goes well as it did for you on sunday Stu, and if you make a little for your hard work you certainly deserve it.

 

 

 

I used to go on some of the minibuses quite regularly 10 years or so ago, and I can't believe I've only just made a link. There was a guy called Tim who used to go on the buses with Clive and Phil England, along with the likes of Graham (the Ravanelli lookalike), Stuey and various other hardened Saints fans who often followed England all over the world as well; I saw Phil for the first time in years on Sunday on the train home, top chap.

 

Tim used to have two young nippers on the bus who would often be scrapping with each other which used to amuse the rest of us. Would one of them have been Sam Vokes??? Real shame that he isn't playing for Saints if so.

[buctootim]

I may well pilot the service for Yeovil, if not then definately Gillingham, if it goes well then will launch a full service next season.

 

Good idea and I'd use it if I wasnt in Sussex and travelling with two kids half the time. Cut yourself a slightly bigger profit margin though and get some insurance. Eventually some **** will try and sue you because you encouraged them to get ****ed by stopping at a pub and therefore its your fault that they fell down the coach stairs / got left behind / beaten to a pulp for being an arse.

[RonManager]

I may well pilot the service for Yeovil, if not then definately Gillingham, if it goes well then will launch a full service next season.

 

You're getting ever closer to Taunton!

[bpsaint]

That was a joke and a little touch of sarcasm Lance... they were the only coaches available. Travel Club snapped up all of the with toilets in the area ( as it's part of there t's and c's ) .

 

Wish that were true,was dying for a dump when we got on the A40 only to discover the coach ( No 38 ) had no toilet. Fair play to you though SRS,I'd prefer to travel on a coach with pub stops.

[StuRomseySaint]

Wish that were true,was dying for a dump when we got on the A40 only to discover the coach ( No 38 ) had no toilet. Fair play to you though SRS,I'd prefer to travel on a coach with pub stops.

 

That wasn't the only reason... the Travel Club were £5 more for a reason... they are luxury coaches. If people wanted a ****** then they would have had to pay for the privelidge... not only that, coach drivers of luxury coaches are far less likely to let you take drink on board...

 

So the choice actually was £25 each and no beers on board.

 

Or £20 each, no toilets and drink on the way.

[Griffo]

Would be totally up for it if it wasn't for the age group! Not all under 18's are happy clappy, face painted arseholes you know.

[Junction 9]

I think you're on dodgy ground with this "No coloured's" rule.

 

IMO

[bpsaint]

That wasn't the only reason... the Travel Club were £5 more for a reason... they are luxury coaches. If people wanted a ****** then they would have had to pay for the privelidge... not only that, coach drivers of luxury coaches are far less likely to let you take drink on board...

 

So the choice actually was £25 each and no beers on board.

 

Or £20 each, no toilets and drink on the way.

 

Yeah but at least with what you want to do there'd be stops on the way and there'd be a chance to get off and have a ****. Was a touch worrying getting back on the coach after the game after a few hours on the **** knowing there was no toilet and the driver said he wasn't stopping on the way home.

[StuRomseySaint]

Would be totally up for it if it wasn't for the age group! Not all under 18's are happy clappy, face painted arseholes you know.

 

That may well be true... but it's the happy clappy people that let you down... is impossible to pick the good ones and the bad ones without a very time-consuming x-factor style audition.

 

One other way to keep mongs off the bus which I have been thinking about including is a 'Coach Trip' style eviction. If you have 10 people on the coach complain about you being a tard... you get a yellow card, if it happens again, you are banned from using the coach.

 

[RonManager]

That may well be true... but it's the happy clappy people that let you down... is impossible to pick the good ones and the bad ones without a very time-consuming x-factor style audition.

 

One other way to keep mongs off the bus which I have been thinking about including is a 'Coach Trip' style eviction. If you have 10 people on the coach complain about you being a tard... you get a yellow card, if it happens again, you are banned from using the coach.

 

 

What happens if it's you? :cool:

[Johnny Bognor]

So the choice actually was £25 each and no beers on board.

 

Or £20 each, no toilets and drink on the way.

 

Skates are doing them for £19!

 

http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=671895&postcount=22569

[StuRomseySaint]

Yeah but at least with what you want to do there'd be stops on the way and there'd be a chance to get off and have a ****. Was a touch worrying getting back on the coach after the game after a few hours on the **** knowing there was no toilet and the driver said he wasn't stopping on the way home.

 

It would be much more flexible, if there were not toilets on the coach, then stops would be made when needed. The problem with the Travel Club is that the person paying is not on the coach to tell them what to do, so coach drivers tend to take the ****, geting back from Wembley is taking the ****** and if it was requested and he refused, I would speak to the club.

 

The good thing with an independant one is that you have payed for their time, so you can stop when you want and the payer ( me generally ) would be on the coach to make sure this happens.

[Deppo]

I wouldnt partake myself, mainly because I dont like people very much. But I think anyone organising and providing such a service deserves a pat on the back, well done Stu.

 

Crawly crawly bumlick.

[modern matron]

After running a few coaches to Wembley with 100% customer satisfaction ( take note Silverspoons ;-) ) , I have been thinking about the possiblilty of re-launching a supporters Independent travel club, but not like the ones previously done.

 

These coaches will be aimed at blokes ( and girls ) who don't use the travel club for a number of reasons, alot of it being the polite 'family' atmosphere on the buses etc and the Bingo Bus culture.

 

For the bigger games I would be looking at setting up coaches which:

 

- Are Over 18's only.

 

- Stop off at a pub at least 3 hours prior to kick-off.

 

- 1 hour stop in a pub on the way home.

 

- For Northern games packages including hotel stayovers.

 

They will be run at the same or less cost as the travel club when on a like for like basis ( northern stopovers will be more )

 

What are peoples views? Would you use a more 'fashionable' coach travel? What would make you want to use this service?

 

I have 2 sons, 22 and 20 who would love it! I think I would but not so sure about the wife! The old man couldn't handle it but a great idea Stu!! Go for it!!

[Griffo]

That may well be true... but it's the happy clappy people that let you down... is impossible to pick the good ones and the bad ones without a very time-consuming x-factor style audition.

 

One other way to keep mongs off the bus which I have been thinking about including is a 'Coach Trip' style eviction. If you have 10 people on the coach complain about you being a tard... you get a yellow card, if it happens again, you are banned from using the coach.

 

 

I probably know around 50 lads that are under 18 but also extremely far from being happy clappy. A coach would be reasonably useful but hey, rules are rules .

[StuRomseySaint]

I probably know around 50 lads that are under 18 but also extremely far from being happy clappy. A coach would be reasonably useful but hey, rules are rules .

 

If you have 50 under 18's that are interested in a bus then let me know and I will hire a yellow school bus and you can play in the park whilst the men drink.

[Griffo]

If you have 50 under 18's that are interested in a bus then let me know and I will hire a yellow school bus and you can play in the park whilst the men drink.

 

Deal.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

If someone can be arsed to put themselves out by organising a coach for an awayday, I wouldn't begrudge the organiser a couple of quid in his pocket for the hassle.

 

I've organised stag do's on occasions, and trying to round up everyones money is a flippin nightmare.

 

Fair play to Stu, I say.

 

Agreed.

[Mattio]

I'd be up for it for the times i'm in southampton, i take it this is something you're thinking of starting from next season stu?

[alehouseboys]

Great idea, will unfortunately get a lot of attention from Mr Plod...and didn't a certain Mr Illingsworth start like this all those years ago?

 

The all new 'Saints Trust' may just be around the corner

[The Majestic Channon]

I used to go on some of the minibuses quite regularly 10 years or so ago, and I can't believe I've only just made a link. There was a guy called Tim who used to go on the buses with Clive and Phil England, along with the likes of Graham (the Ravanelli lookalike), Stuey and various other hardened Saints fans who often followed England all over the world as well; I saw Phil for the first time in years on Sunday on the train home, top chap.

 

Tim used to have two young nippers on the bus who would often be scrapping with each other which used to amuse the rest of us. Would one of them have been Sam Vokes??? Real shame that he isn't playing for Saints if so.

I was with phil sunday, was that you with your dad? if so how's his head?

Sam and matt vokes were in the globe with tim before the game.

[StuRomseySaint]

Great idea, will unfortunately get a lot of attention from Mr Plod...and didn't a certain Mr Illingsworth start like this all those years ago?

 

The all new 'Saints Trust' may just be around the corner

 

Haha, never!!! This is a business venture!!! Nothing more, nothing less!!!

[StuRomseySaint]

Right... this is the possibility for Yeovil Game...

 

· 8:30am Pickup Southampton Central Train Station

· 8:45am Romsey ( Luzborough House )

· 9:15am Salisbury ( Possibly )

· Arrival Yeovil

· After match Depart Yeovil ( to include a 1 hour stop at a pre-designated Pub around half way back on the A303 )

· Drop-offs back at Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton.

 

The price will be somewhere between £15 and £20 ( depending on how confident from initial interest that I can fill it ) , there will be student prices available which will be charged at a premium of £40, the route from Southampton to Romsey will be down Shirley High Street, Lordshill, Rownhams and North Baddesley and we will pick up along this route as well.

 

This coach has a toilet... lesson learnt!

 

What would peoples thoughts be on this?

Edited 31 March, 2010 by StuRomseySaint

[Pat from Poole]

I was with phil sunday, was that you with your dad? if so how's his head?

Sam and matt vokes were in the globe with tim before the game.

 

 

It was me, yeah.

 

He's fine thanks, saw his GP on Monday morning and had the all-clear. He's banned by my Mum from football now though!!!!!

[stevegrant]

Right... this is the possibility for Yeovil Game...

 

· 8:30am Pickup Southampton Central Train Station

· 8:45am Romsey ( Luzborough House )

· 9:15am Salisbury ( Possibly )

· Arrival Yeovil

· After match Depart Yeovil ( to include a 1 hour stop at a pre-designated Pub around half way back on the A303 )

· Drop-offs back at Salisbury, Romsey and Southampton.

 

The price will be somewhere between £15 and £20 ( depending on how confident from initial interest that I can fill it ) , there will be student prices available which will be charged at a premium of £40, the route from Southampton to Romsey will be down Shirley High Street, Lordshill, Rownhams and North Baddesley and we will pick up along this route as well.

 

This coach has a toilet... lesson learnt!

 

What would peoples thoughts be on this?

Too many stops if you're going to do pickups all the way along the route. One of the many things I learned from running coaches in the past is that you need to keep the number of stops to a minimum, people get fed up with it, particularly on the way home.

[StuRomseySaint]

Too many stops if you're going to do pickups all the way along the route. One of the many things I learned from running coaches in the past is that you need to keep the number of stops to a minimum, people get fed up with it, particularly on the way home.

 

Fair one... having said that, I won't stop 10 times, maybe Shirley and Lordshill if the demand was there... both stops are en-route... so not like some coaches which go to Eastleigh/Winchester which to be honest, the few times I have used them, have ******ed me off big time.

 

But yeah, I will take that on board and say there is the opportunity for a pickup in Shirley Precinct or Lordshill Centre if demand dicates, this will only add 5 minutes on to the journey.

[Gudz]

I'd be up for it for the times i'm in southampton, i take it this is something you're thinking of starting from next season stu?

 

This for me too, especially for the longer distance away days.

 

Top idea, this.

[StuRomseySaint]

I'd be up for it for the times i'm in southampton, i take it this is something you're thinking of starting from next season stu?

 

Well I will pilot it for the Yeovil and Gillingham games this season... then look at doing it for most away games next season if it works.

 

Also going to look at other sporting events as well, such as cricket, golf, darts, England games etc...

 

There doesn't seem to be much in the way of packages to these events in the local area...

[forever a red and white]

don't know if you been to yeovil b4, this one is a local for me...

 

There is a weatherspoons in town but it is miles away from ground and not an awful lot of places to drink in around yeovil. few pubs scattered, there is one near the ground but forget what it is called, if can remeber will let you know

 

also its a **** hole

[TUS]

don't know if you been to yeovil b4, this one is a local for me...

 

There is a weatherspoons in town but it is miles away from ground and not an awful lot of places to drink in around yeovil. few pubs scattered, there is one near the ground but forget what it is called, if can remeber will let you know

 

also its a **** hole

 

I grew up locally as well and would concur with this. There's 2 pubs near to the ground - the Arrow and a harvester style place (can't remember the name, just near Palmers chip shop). I've always gone to the Arrow before ... decent size and no issues with away fans.

[Give it to Ron]

Just to say that train groupsave is £9 which is a great deal cheaper than the proposed £20.

But after last Sundays fiasco if i never see a SW train again it will be too soon!

[bungle]

It sounds like it's almost worth getting the train from Bath to Soton just to get Stu's coach back to Yeovil.

[saint_mears]

The police will be all over you like a rash sadly.

[StuRomseySaint]

The police will be all over you like a rash sadly.

 

Not really... the can't tell you when to leave Southampton... they can't stop you having a comfort break on the way home either.

[StuRomseySaint]

Just to say that train groupsave is £9 which is a great deal cheaper than the proposed £20.

But after last Sundays fiasco if i never see a SW train again it will be too soon!

 

It will more likely be £15... but £9 groupsave is not a bad deal to be fair.

[suewhistle]

Although some people on here won't realise it, there is a very large proportion of Saints fans who want to go and have a few pints before and after and do not want to spend their day with [children and] pensioners ( no disrespect )

 

What about pensioners who like a drink? Definitely need coaches with loos if you can get them!

 

And what have you got against students? One thing I learnt at Soton U was how to hold my drink (I graduated in 1976... it was a thirsty summer...), which is more than I can say for some a holes I've seen at football. I just get mellow but let's face it, it does bring out the worst in some.

 

Still, good idea as long as you stop at pubs with decent beer. Can you organise one from Geneva or Turin?? On the hassle front, it's a pain, isn't it, from my limited experience. I presume that everybody finally paid on the day? If not don't let them on the coach.

[Kaiser Soze]

Problem with coaches is you legally have to inform the old bill of your plans. A mate of mine got severely collared after the Leeds game after 50 of us turned up unannounced.

 

Once the OB have got wind of your plans you are thrown around like cattle and the day is effectively ruined.

 

Nice idea Stu but not for me I'm afraid.

[StuRomseySaint]

What about pensioners who like a drink? Definitely need coaches with loos if you can get them!

 

And what have you got against students? One thing I learnt at Soton U was how to hold my drink (I graduated in 1976... it was a thirsty summer...), which is more than I can say for some a holes I've seen at football. I just get mellow but let's face it, it does bring out the worst in some.

 

Still, good idea as long as you stop at pubs with decent beer. Can you organise one from Geneva or Turin?? On the hassle front, it's a pain, isn't it, from my limited experience. I presume that everybody finally paid on the day? If not don't let them on the coach.

 

Yes everyone was good for their money on the day. There is nothing wrong with your beer-swilling pensioers, it's the grumpy old ones that many people don't want to associate with on their matchday experience... as for students, the majority are a bunch of absolute chumps who can't handle their beer... so I will be charging them a £40 soiling charge prior to departure so I don't have to get it at the end of the day.

[The Majestic Channon]

Not really... the can't tell you when to leave Southampton... they can't stop you having a comfort break on the way home either.

Wouldn't be so sure, we had a county border to county border escort all the way home from newcastle once on clive's coach and when we tried pulling over in service stations they refused to let us off , all because they say they found pellets in someone jacket while searching everyones belongings on the coach as the match went on .

[70's Mike]

i hope it works for you Stu

but i fear the rules and regulations make a return to days of Dave Bennetts and Foleys coaches unlikely.

Even some Motorway service areas say no football coaches, imagine the reaction when you pull into some small country village