I am looking at doing a lot more away games this year than my normal local ones done the last few years but with saving for a wedding I was looking at the coaches to trim costs.
Can any one who has been on the club run coaches offer and advice/feedback as to the experience?
Cheers
0
Comments
Being 16 i use the Valley Away coaches as my way of getting to away games.
On the whole the journeys are usually fine although there have been some occasions (Tranemere away last year) were we have missed kick off. Now i know it wasnt the drivers fault that we were late but what was his fault was the fact that he took us through Liverpool city centre on a Saturday afternoon, i'd laready looked up the route before we'd left and knew that that wasnt the correct way. When someone in front tried to tell the driver this they were ignored.
Another incident of poor navigational skills was Walsall away last year. We were on the coach from Larkfield on our way to Dartford when the coach driver headed for the Dartford crossing at the A2/M25 junction 2 as opposed to taking the clearly signposted route of the (A225) Thus meaning we had to go through the Dartford crossing and come back on ourselves. Now, this was in Kent?!?! At this point i was very worried what she would be like in Birmingham.
But as i say, these are the only two incidents where i have had any problems.
Funny you should mention that Large, I was reading some old fanzines the other day (VFR I think) and Algarve I think did the report of the Brescia trip, you were mentioned quite a lot.
I went by coach once, Newcastle away first game in the Prem, I reckon Brescia would have been quicker. Just shocking and I would never ever ever do it again.
Valley Away
Posted on: Sat 27 Aug 2011
The Valley Away coach service is run by the club and transports supporters to Charlton's away games.
Coaches run from a number of pick-ups across the South East to away
matches, depending on demand. And special coaches with lifts are also
provided to cater for the club's disabled supporters where practical.
Listed below are the matches which are currently open for booking,
plus the details of the pick-up points and times for each fixture.
Valley Away coach seats can be booked in person at The Valley or by
calling 0871 226 1905. Further information is also available from the
commercial centre.
Article continues
Saturday, September 17th (3pm): Rochdale
Larkfield (KIngfisher Road bus stop): 7am
Gravesend (bus stop at former Tollgate underpass): 7.20am
Bromley (North station) 7.30am
Dartford (Heath Lane, by Halfords, nr junction with Princes Road): 7.30am
Well Hall (Well Hall Rd bus stop north of roundabout): 7.45am
Bexleyheath (Albion Road, rear of Civic Offices): 7.45am
Charlton (Anchor and Hope Lane): 8am
Fare £25 - there is no mobility coach to this fixture.
Valley Away - frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Who is it run by?
CAFC took over running the away travel service in 2006, after many
years in which it was provided by Charlton Athletic Supporters' Club
(CASC). This followed requests from supporters, but the stewards have
remained the same. Wendy Perfect is in charge and she ran the
supporters' club travel for years.
Are there any other coach services?
Not in Kent or South East London as far as we know. We do
occasionally run away coaches from East and West Sussex, but when we do
booking information will be on this page.
What do you charge?
Pricing will be set on a game-by-game basis for 2011/12.
Can I pay on the day?
No. All fares must be paid in advance through the commercial centre or online.
The only exception is that Maidstone CASC members can book through Sue
Townsend if they wish for their local pick-ups and the arrangements we
sometimes make for Sussex coaches. Maidstone and Sussex CASC members can
also book through the club like everyone else.
Can my child travel away without an adult?
Not if he or she is under 16. We are unable to take responsibility
for U16s and therefore we will only allow them on board when accompanied
by a responsible adult who is aged at least 21. Our stewards have
authority to turn away unaccompanied U16s who present themselves for
boarding on the day of the match.
Can I get on without my coach ticket?
We will send you a ticket to confirm the booking if time allows and
it will be helpful if you bring it. The steward will also have a list of
names. But if you don't have a ticket and you're not on the list you
won't be able to travel.
What if I change my mind?
You can cancel your seat up to 48 hours before the game. After that
we will only give you a refund if we can sell it to someone else.
Can I go on the disabled coach?
This coach is also run by the club, and will run according to demand,
picking up at Bromley, Eltham and Charlton only. Unfortunately, we
cannot usually cover the other pick-ups. If you require a fixed
wheelchair place on the coach please tell us as early as possible and at
least four days before the game as this requires the coach to be
reconfigured and less seats are then available for other passengers. The
disabled coach may be booked via the commercial centre on 0871 226
1905. Helpers travel for half price.
Can I drink alcohol on the coach?
The Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol Etc), Act, 1985, specifically
prohibits the carrying or consuming of alcohol on coaches travelling to
or from designated sporting events, which includes all senior football
matches. Not only would you be at risk of arrest, but police have powers
to turn the coaches around, causing all passengers to miss the game. We
don't make the law but we have to enforce it, so please don't take it
out on the steward or the club. If you don't like it, contact your MP.
What about seat belts?
All Valley Away passengers are reminded it is now a legal requirement
for everyone over the age of 14 to wear seat belts during coach
journeys. The onus to ensure they do so is on passengers, not drivers or
the football club as hirer, and police have the power to levy spot
fines against people who don't wear them.
Are you running trains?
No. Speak to independent Addicks supporter Syd Cheeswright on
020-8688 3916 from 7-9.30pm between 7pm and 9.30pm on Sunday, Monday,
Wednesday or Friday evenings (except when there is a Charlton evening
game). There's also an information page on the club website giving more
details, and before calling fans should note the deadline for bookings,
which can be some time ahead of fixtures. Payment for each trip must be
made at that time. No late requests or payments can be accepted.
For information about the Valley Express coach service to home matches, click here.
To book coach tickets, click here.
For the latest ticket news, click here.
Calls to 0871 226 1905 cost 10p per minute from a BT landline. Calls from other networks and mobiles may cost more.