Bristol City fans were reported to be settling down for a "comfortable night" in Cardiff West services tonight aboard a number of Peter Carol coaches, on the way to their team's game at Swansea City tomorrow evening, South Wales Police have said.The City fans, who have been forced to travel under 'bubble trip' restrictions to the Welsh club's Liberty Stadium, for no apparent reason, set off first thing this morning on the gruelling 80 mile trip, before stopping at Aust Services for four hours to eat their packed lunches.
From there, the supporters crossed the old Severn Bridge before stopping at Stow Hill Services just outside Newport for a further three hours, where they were allowed to look out of the window for a bit and relieve themselves in screw-top bottles, if they'd remembered to bring one. It's understood some of the travelling party had a stab at a jumbo puzzle book one fan had brought along, but police were forced to confiscate it in case it was used as a weapon or caused a paper cut.
The coaches finally arrived at Cardiff West Services at 6pm this evening for an overnight stay in the coach park. A spokesman for Peter Carol coaches said, "The seats recline about five degrees, so everyone should get a good night's sleep before undertaking the second part of the trip at daybreak."
Tomorrow's travel plans are believed to involve a five hour stop at Sarn Park Services, where those who still have any sandwiches left can enjoy a snack, before heading on to Port Talbot Services in the afternoon. From there, the City fans will be held under a police escort for four hours, before being taken to the Liberty Stadium, stopping briefly at Burrows Service Station just outside Swansea so the driver can get some fags.
A South Wales Police spokesman said, "We'll be leaving Burrows Service Station around 7.30pm to get the coaches to the ground at around 7.45pm. It's cutting it a bit fine, and the supporters may miss the first ten minutes of the game, but safety is paramount and we can't take any chances by having them arriving at the same time as anyone Welsh."
After the game, the fans will be held in the ground until everyone in Swansea has gone to bed, before heading back up the M4 to Bristol, where they hope to arrive back at Ashton Gate by 4am.
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You used the power word "gruelling" to describe the 80 mile marathon between Bristol and the far-flung out-post of the British Isles that is Swansea. Your words show the restraint of an Arctic explorer.
ReplyDeleteThe people I most admire are the policemen, picking up a measly £200 a day in individual acts of heroism and endurance to guide the poor fools that call themselves "football supporters" on these marathon journies.