[Archived] F.a. Cup Semi Finals

[Boz]

I've emailed Northern Rail and received an acknowledgement, although I don't anticipate a positive actual response. After pondering it further I'm now having second thoughts, although I can see advantages in getting on the train at Whalley, Langho or Wilpshire. It's a pity we live in such country with a third rate rail infrastructure. Compare this with the double decker trains in Holland from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, with clean trains and stations.

[jim mk2]

There's also the problem of track capacity : the Blackburn - Bolton line was reduced to single track with a passing loop at Darwen as a cost-cutting measure 20-30 years ago. The line physically cannot accommodate any more trains.

[SIMON GARNERS 194]

2 X £35 tickets just purchased on-line......easy as pie!

I think its going to be either the coach or car for me, like others have stated the train situation looks a disaster waiting to happen.

[Tris]

There's also the problem of track capacity : the Blackburn - Bolton line was reduced to single track with a passing loop at Darwen as a cost-cutting measure 20-30 years ago. The line physically cannot accommodate any more trains.

It manages to cope with a half hourly service during the weekday peak times, so they should be able to slot in a couple of charters on a Sunday.

Failing that, run them via Bamber Bridge + Chorley.

[Neil Weaver]

It manages to cope with a half hourly service during the weekday peak times, so they should be able to slot in a couple of charters on a Sunday.

Fair point Tris, still the simpler option is stick an extra 2 coach unit on the existing 2 coaches. I usually get the train for Saturday games : although the Clitheroe - Manc train is usually two coaches, about once a month it's a four coach service, no idea why.

Ticket website was doing the same as it was to only2garners earlier this aft, trying to charge ticket plus a 4 pound booking fee plus 4 pound postage. I'm told it's fixed now by the way. So I rang the ticket office, straight through and the young lady told me the block and row number that were currently on sale, suggested I have a look on the manutd website for the seating plan and views from that block, and took my booking. Fine service.

[KingCrip]

Assuming all the postal applications have been processed, we should be getting our tickets tomorrow?

[Manchester Blue]

It manages to cope with a half hourly service during the weekday peak times, so they should be able to slot in a couple of charters on a Sunday.

Failing that, run them via Bamber Bridge + Chorley.

They didn't have a Sunday service until fairly recently so it's nonsense to suggest the track cannot cope. Has anyone emailed the club? I appreciate it isn't solely down to them but if they were to pressure Northern Rail then it would carry more weight. I know they put extra trains on for Bolton games as they always advertise them at Victoria station. Most of the trains that use Victoria don't run on a Sunday, I know my service doesn't so extra stock should be no problem.

[blue phil]

The stock and lines need one day a week off to rest , you know ........they just can't cope otherwise .

Ask jim mk2 - he knows about these things

[only2garners]

Ticket website was doing the same as it was to only2garners earlier this aft, trying to charge ticket plus a 4 pound booking fee plus 4 pound postage. I'm told it's fixed now by the way. So I rang the ticket office, straight through and the young lady told me the block and row number that were currently on sale, suggested I have a look on the manutd website for the seating plan and views from that block, and took my booking. Fine service.

I was using the website as I assumed that it would be hard to get through on the phone. It was busy first thing but by lunchtime I got straight through and got my 5 £35 tickets (and an extra for Villa for my lad back from London for Easter, with no extra booking fee).

[whittle blue]

It manages to cope with a half hourly service during the weekday peak times, so they should be able to slot in a couple of charters on a Sunday.

Failing that, run them via Bamber Bridge + Chorley.

According to the Trainline.com

buses replace trains between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday 15th.

[RevidgeBlue]

Very frustrating today, I drove past the ground several times and there was absolutely no-one about!

Have to wait until phase 2 on Sunday for a group of us to get 4-6 tickets by which time there'll probably be queues a mile long.

[oakdaleblue]

I have been in contact with a pub close to the ground and they offer a couple of hundred free parking spaces. They sound very friendly and I think we will be going there before the game.

They have asked me to be put in contact with somebody at the club to warn people of the prices they could be charged for official parking on the day. The prices will be between £5 - £15 which is not cheap. Does anybody know who at the club I should contact?

The pub is called The Village Inn and the owners also own The Trafford Park Hotel which is approximately 300 yards away. They say they can accommodate up to 1000 fans between them. Also, if you prebook you can have a full english before you start swilling copious amounts of beer.

From speaking to several United fans at work the pub does not get mobbed and it is only 10-15 mins walk from the ground. Also, it is relatively quick to get away from and the free parking is a bonus.

Their website is and maps to pub can be found on multimap using postcode M17 1DQ.

I personally think the train will be a risk having had problems going to Manchester before when the Rovers have played. So it will be a taxi there and back, should cost around £70, which is not too bad for a five seater (£14 ea)

Hope this is of interest to anyone.

[matt65]

sorted..queued for 10 mins,doesnt bode well.About 20 people in the queue.

you did well there,i got there at 9 and queued for an hour,

alot of people behind me aswell.

[Paul]

The prices will be between £5 - £15 which is not cheap.

We usually park at Pomona, the tram stop near the huge roundabout at the OT end of Salford Quays. For PL games it's usually £5 but when we went for England it was £10. I started to argue the toss until I saw the size of minder stood a few yards away!!!

[OJRovers]

I live in Manchester so will prob be getting the tram/taxi from town.

Anyone driving could park somewhere in city centre (prob free on sunday or £2.50 in MEN) then do the same

[ABBEY]

According to the Trainline.com

buses replace trains between Chorley and Bolton on Sunday 15th.

do trains from blackburn go that way?

[Claytons Left Boot]

For those thinking of phoning Ewood, I did this morning, got my two tickets and was on for only 7 mins in total.

[CAPT KAYOS]

Getting in, although busy will probably be ok with it being Sunday - its after the match that will more than likely be the problem with the majority of all fans wanting to head back into town at the same time.

[sleepyjack]

do trains from blackburn go that way?

No.

[Tris]

They didn't have a Sunday service until fairly recently so it's nonsense to suggest the track cannot cope. Has anyone emailed the club? I appreciate it isn't solely down to them but if they were to pressure Northern Rail then it would carry more weight.

Yeah I had yesterday afternoon, and received a reply today.

Rovers had already identified rail capacity as an issue and have already been in touch with Northern Rail. Waiting for a response from NR and will communicate any news through the usual channels (if there's anything to communicate!)

Over to Northern Rail I guess.

[Boz]

I've trawled through here for any comment about the canal barge from The Mark Addy pub adjacent to Salford Crescent directly to OT, but couldn't find the details I was after. Can anyone help?

I've been in touch to try to book, but apparently Paul from Leyland has made a private reservation. Anyone know Paul? And anyone know if Paul from Leyland might be interested in filling any spaces?

[Ben-2000]

I have also emailed Northern rail, whether it will do any good I don't know but I suppose the more enquiries they get the more hope we have?!

[1864roverite]

I have been down today and waited approx 20 minutes having already filled in the forms.

Got my tickets and whilst I was there there was a steady stream of buyers. One lad in front of me bought 20 tickets and I got 10. No doubt fans are buying in bulk.

the lovely lady stated that sales were going very well and that Rovers have sold a large part of the main east stand behind the goal (35 quidders).

[only2garners]

I've trawled through here for any comment about the canal barge from The Mark Addy pub adjacent to Salford Crescent directly to OT, but couldn't find the details I was after. Can anyone help?

I've been in touch to try to book, but apparently Paul from Leyland has made a private reservation. Anyone know Paul? And anyone know if Paul from Leyland might be interested in filling any spaces?

Try http://www.citycentrecruises.co.uk/frontpage.htm. This is the LS Lowry, which I know does cruises along the Bridgewater canal to Old Trafford for United home games and I presume will run one for the semi final if they can get enough paying customers. When I just looked at it the site links weren't working but there's a phone number there to call them.

I intend to get to the match on my own canal boat - we should be leaving from somewhere like Parbold on Friday night!! I've been twice to Ewood by boat but this will be a first for an away match.

[Tris]

I intend to get to the match on my own canal boat - we should be leaving from somewhere like Parbold on Friday night!! I've been twice to Ewood by boat but this will be a first for an away match.

Now that is class!!

Are you gonna paint it blue and white for the occasion? What's the parking like round OT?!

Would be great to see some pics of your journey to the SF!