My two boys and I were on the coach. 10:15 pick up from Eltham. When we were still coming along the A21 Bromley common at 11:15, the writing was on the wall. In hindsight the pick up times should have been much earlier but the convoluted route to Bromley didn’t help. Really disappointing. We have been using the coaches for several years now without any problems to be fair. I go for the coach because as a woman travelling with my two (young as they were when I first started using the coaches) boys, it takes away some of the stress! The joke is, I got a (presumably automated) email from the club the next day asking me to complete a survey on how my experience of the valley away service had been for my trip to Bristol!! I don’t expect to get my money back for the match tickets but hope that the coach money is refunded.
Booked for the Ipswich match so fingers crossed.
You should get your coach and ticket costs refunded as a minimum
Would be nice but not holding my breath!
Or learn how to drive.
FFS, it was meant to be tongue in cheek. Let’s not get too precious. I get it was a sorry afternoon for all involved, but come on, if I was on the A21 at Bromley at 11:15, I think I would have called it a day. Very noble of you Brownie that you take your kids on these away events. Genuinely no malice intended. Wish you and your children well for forthcoming events.
No worries!
Yep…… feel like we deserve to see a win at Ipswich to make up for the Bristol debacle……But then again, I’m a charlton supporter!
My two boys and I were on the coach. 10:15 pick up from Eltham. When we were still coming along the A21 Bromley common at 11:15, the writing was on the wall. In hindsight the pick up times should have been much earlier but the convoluted route to Bromley didn’t help. Really disappointing. We have been using the coaches for several years now without any problems to be fair. I go for the coach because as a woman travelling with my two (young as they were when I first started using the coaches) boys, it takes away some of the stress! The joke is, I got a (presumably automated) email from the club the next day asking me to complete a survey on how my experience of the valley away service had been for my trip to Bristol!! I don’t expect to get my money back for the match tickets but hope that the coach money is refunded.
Booked for the Ipswich match so fingers crossed.
You should get your coach and ticket costs refunded as a minimum
Would be nice but not holding my breath!
Neither am I think I’ll wait until Tuesday and if nothing happens I’ll fire off an email
My two boys and I were on the coach. 10:15 pick up from Eltham. When we were still coming along the A21 Bromley common at 11:15, the writing was on the wall. In hindsight the pick up times should have been much earlier but the convoluted route to Bromley didn’t help. Really disappointing. We have been using the coaches for several years now without any problems to be fair. I go for the coach because as a woman travelling with my two (young as they were when I first started using the coaches) boys, it takes away some of the stress! The joke is, I got a (presumably automated) email from the club the next day asking me to complete a survey on how my experience of the valley away service had been for my trip to Bristol!! I don’t expect to get my money back for the match tickets but hope that the coach money is refunded.
Booked for the Ipswich match so fingers crossed.
You should get your coach and ticket costs refunded as a minimum
Would be nice but not holding my breath!
Or learn how to drive.
Definitely no Brownie points for you for that reply
I feel sick for the punters and especially those on 100% for the season before that fixture . Sometimes that’s just a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one to make . I did a whole season late eighties and a missed between 2&5 games prolly another half a dozen other seasons I can’t imagine how gutting it would have been for that to happen . Pathetic effort from the coach company anyone not using Waze in this day and age needs to liven up , yes it’s not perfect but I’d take it over a human most times .
I feel sick for the punters and especially those on 100% for the season before that fixture . Sometimes that’s just a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one to make . I did a whole season late eighties and a missed between 2&5 games prolly another half a dozen other seasons I can’t imagine how gutting it would have been for that to happen . Pathetic effort from the coach company anyone not using Waze in this day and age needs to liven up , yes it’s not perfect but I’d take it over a human most times .
I use Waze a lot and I agree its really good. However Waze is not that good that it can get you to Bristol in time for kick off when the club arrange a collection time that is far too late.
Have not seen one example on here or on Twitter of any supporter who drove to the game who had to turn back, presumably because they all had enough time to allow for delays
I don't think there is any doubt the club will refund coach fares - no business could defend retaining them. Hopefully they will go further, but realistically there is no one with that authority on top of it over the Easter weekend. It's a horrible thing to happen to those affected but let's see how the club actually responds to the situation, before assuming the worst.
It's the sort of thing that you might expect a decent owner to Tweet about straight away. Not with the expectation that anyone would be at the club to action refunds over the weekend, but at least so that people could relax about it.
I'm sure that any concerned owner would do this, and I think in the past Mr Sandgaard would have at some point in the past. Come on Thomas, It's a chance for some much needed positive publicity. I take it you're still interested in selling those season tickets that are advertised (probably not the Northampton ones though).
I agree that coach and ticket refunds should be the minimum. I'd think perhaps a little something to help rebuild trust and goodwill wouldn't go amiss too. Perhaps some sort of voucher for discounted coach travel in the future.
Agree with all of the above. Timings were tight for a normal Saturday but for a bank holiday they were at least an hour too late. Made it to Hook just off the M3 and turned back as ETA with the driver break was 4.20pm. I emailed the club Friday regarding a refund, no response.
I would imagine the club and the coach company will be discussions at some point today with who was at fault.
First thing that needs to be done is a refund of coach fare and match tickets to all caught up in this.
Then make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.
I reckon the coach company will try to pass the buck along the lines of "in our opinion we allowed enough time. The supporters accepted the departure times".
At a minimum the club should have issued a statement of regret on Friday, and that they would be investigating the circumstances and issuing further comment next week.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
I would imagine the club and the coach company will be discussions at some point today with who was at fault.
First thing that needs to be done is a refund of coach fare and match tickets to all caught up in this.
Then make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.
I reckon the coach company will try to pass the buck along the lines of "in our opinion we allowed enough time. The supporters accepted the departure times".
At which point the coach company loses all future business, either because the club changes supplier or the supporters vote with their feet (or bums)..
I don't think there is any doubt the club will refund coach fares - no business could defend retaining them. Hopefully they will go further, but realistically there is no one with that authority on top of it over the Easter weekend. It's a horrible thing to happen to those affected but let's see how the club actually responds to the situation, before assuming the worst.
It's the sort of thing that you might expect a decent owner to Tweet about straight away. Not with the expectation that anyone would be at the club to action refunds over the weekend, but at least so that people could relax about it.
I'm sure that any concerned owner would do this, and I think in the past Mr Sandgaard would have at some point in the past. Come on Thomas, It's a chance for some much needed positive publicity. I take it you're still interested in selling those season tickets that are advertised (probably not the Northampton ones though).
I agree that coach and ticket refunds should be the minimum. I'd think perhaps a little something to help rebuild trust and goodwill wouldn't go amiss too. Perhaps some sort of voucher for discounted coach travel in the future.
Half a pint of warm been on a Tuesday night in January, fixture to be selected by the club.
At a minimum the club should have issued a statement of regret on Friday, and that they would be investigating the circumstances and issuing further comment next week.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
The club only needs to communicate with the 100 people on the coaches, which evidently it did acknowledge since I hear it provided codes for Charlton TV. It's not something it need to communicate with anyone else about, then or later.
I would imagine the club and the coach company will be discussions at some point today with who was at fault.
First thing that needs to be done is a refund of coach fare and match tickets to all caught up in this.
Then make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.
I reckon the coach company will try to pass the buck along the lines of "in our opinion we allowed enough time. The supporters accepted the departure times".
At which point the coach company loses all future business, either because the club changes supplier or the supporters vote with their feet (or bums)..
I’d be amazed if they held their hands up to this.
The travel is book through the club, so therefore the sales contract is with the club and it is they who will have to reimburse people and it's then up to them to argue the toss with the coach company. If it was the club who insisted on the start times then the coach company might get away without paying anything, it really depends on the arrangements between the club and the coach company. None of that should effect the fans as they only dealt with the club.
My two boys and I were on the coach. 10:15 pick up from Eltham. When we were still coming along the A21 Bromley common at 11:15, the writing was on the wall. In hindsight the pick up times should have been much earlier but the convoluted route to Bromley didn’t help. Really disappointing. We have been using the coaches for several years now without any problems to be fair. I go for the coach because as a woman travelling with my two (young as they were when I first started using the coaches) boys, it takes away some of the stress! The joke is, I got a (presumably automated) email from the club the next day asking me to complete a survey on how my experience of the valley away service had been for my trip to Bristol!! I don’t expect to get my money back for the match tickets but hope that the coach money is refunded.
Booked for the Ipswich match so fingers crossed.
if the club can sort out some youngster at the club their heating bill cos they stupidly left their under floor heating on for two years then surely they could reimburse the fans on those coaches their ticket prices plus coach travel. throw in a free coach travel somewhere else and then maybe you could say they have done ok by the fans. not great still but at least its something.
I don’t think the underfloor heating story was at our club?
At a minimum the club should have issued a statement of regret on Friday, and that they would be investigating the circumstances and issuing further comment next week.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
The club only needs to communicate with the 100 people on the coaches, which evidently it did acknowledge since I hear it provided codes for Charlton TV. It's not something it need to communicate with anyone else about, then or later.
It's not just those 100 individuals that need to be reassured though. There will be others who might be planning coach travel to future games.
And what is the point of having social media channels and a website if you don't use them for such messages?
Apologies if this has already been mentioned. Who chose the pickup times, the club or the coach company……was this discussed prior to the event, I assume so?🤔
At a minimum the club should have issued a statement of regret on Friday, and that they would be investigating the circumstances and issuing further comment next week.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
The club only needs to communicate with the 100 people on the coaches, which evidently it did acknowledge since I hear it provided codes for Charlton TV. It's not something it need to communicate with anyone else about, then or later.
It's not just those 100 individuals that need to be reassured though. There will be others who might be planning coach travel to future games.
And what is the point of having social media channels and a website if you don't use them for such messages?
I'd say it's a good example a situation in which you don't need to use them, because the vast majority of fans are neither affected nor interested. The club knows who booked, it can communicate directly with them. It's hopelessly inefficient to do so using social media or the website and unless anyone can show it's more than exceptional event I am not sure what would be gained.
At a minimum the club should have issued a statement of regret on Friday, and that they would be investigating the circumstances and issuing further comment next week.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
The club only needs to communicate with the 100 people on the coaches, which evidently it did acknowledge since I hear it provided codes for Charlton TV. It's not something it need to communicate with anyone else about, then or later.
It's not just those 100 individuals that need to be reassured though. There will be others who might be planning coach travel to future games.
And what is the point of having social media channels and a website if you don't use them for such messages?
I'd say it's a good example a situation in which you don't need to use them, because the vast majority of fans are neither affected nor interested. The club knows who booked, it can communicate directly with them. It's hopelessly inefficient to do so using social media or the website and unless anyone can show it's more than exceptional event I am not sure what would be gained.
Beyond whatever the immediate comms to them is they could potentially derive some good PR maybe if they go over and above in compensating them in some way at a forthcoming home fixture ?
I mean they could ‘host’ them in a limited way in a lounge / the posh seats etc.
If the club (coach company or whoever) fail to reimburse for either the travel or match ticket and people paid by either credit or debit card, I'd slap in a charge back to the card company and see what happens.
We are writing to you on the back of the coach travel issues you experienced for our away game against Bristol Rovers on Friday, April 7th.
We would like to begin by apologising for the fact you weren’t able to get to the game, this was a result of a number of factors, which we have investigated and have put right for upcoming fixtures.
On hearing it was unlikely you’d be able to get to the game, we asked for kick-off to be delayed but unfortunately this request could not be accommodated. We’d like to thank supporters Clare Sadlier and Tom Wallin for their help in distributing streaming passes for the game to ensure as many of you as possible could watch it on CharltonTV.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to get your coach travel and ticket purchase refunded from the matchday. This can be done through two options, please email tickets@cafc.co.uk by May 30th to confirm your choice:
Option A: Request money owed be assigned to future purchases from Charlton Athletic
Option B: Request a full refund of coach and ticket money
Once again, we would like to apologise for inconvenience. We appreciate your continued support.
Comments
Sometimes that’s just a once in a lifetime opportunity for some one to make .
I did a whole season late eighties and a missed between 2&5 games prolly another half a dozen other seasons
I can’t imagine how gutting it would have been for that to happen .
Pathetic effort from the coach company
anyone not using Waze in this day and age needs to liven up , yes it’s not perfect but I’d take it over a human most times .
Have not seen one example on here or on Twitter of any supporter who drove to the game who had to turn back, presumably because they all had enough time to allow for delays
I'm sure that any concerned owner would do this, and I think in the past Mr Sandgaard would have at some point in the past. Come on Thomas, It's a chance for some much needed positive publicity. I take it you're still interested in selling those season tickets that are advertised (probably not the Northampton ones though).
I agree that coach and ticket refunds should be the minimum. I'd think perhaps a little something to help rebuild trust and goodwill wouldn't go amiss too. Perhaps some sort of voucher for discounted coach travel in the future.
First thing that needs to be done is a refund of coach fare and match tickets to all caught up in this.
Then make sure you don’t make the same mistake again.
The sort of standard apology, without immediately admitting guilt, statement most professional organisations issue in such circumstances.
And what is the point of having social media channels and a website if you don't use them for such messages?
From next season we will be doing free train travel.
You don’t know what you are letting yourself infor
Trains for free🌊
Who chose the pickup times, the club or the coach company……was this discussed prior to the event, I assume so?🤔
Thank you for your email, we are currently looking into this issue and will contact you regarding this shortly.
Kind Regards,
CAFC
this is the response to my email regarding refund
I mean they could ‘host’ them in a limited way in a lounge / the posh seats etc.
We are writing to you on the back of the coach travel issues you experienced for our away game against Bristol Rovers on Friday, April 7th.
We would like to begin by apologising for the fact you weren’t able to get to the game, this was a result of a number of factors, which we have investigated and have put right for upcoming fixtures.
On hearing it was unlikely you’d be able to get to the game, we asked for kick-off to be delayed but unfortunately this request could not be accommodated. We’d like to thank supporters Clare Sadlier and Tom Wallin for their help in distributing streaming passes for the game to ensure as many of you as possible could watch it on CharltonTV.
We would like to offer you the opportunity to get your coach travel and ticket purchase refunded from the matchday. This can be done through two options, please email tickets@cafc.co.uk by May 30th to confirm your choice:
Once again, we would like to apologise for inconvenience. We appreciate your continued support.
Kind regards,
Charlton Athletic
Received from the Club this afternoon
Thanks for the update @Valianterith