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Fans’ fury as they confront Wembley shambles
Ben Hunt10.06.09
Angry England supporters are facing uncertain journeys to Wembley with no guarantees that Tube or mainline stations would be open to get them to and from the stadium.
Fans were led to believe that the main Underground station closest to the stadium, Wembley Park — which is fed by the Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines — would be closed all day.
Yet this morning both routes were open with only “minor delays” after staff from the Aslef union failed to join their RMT-affiliated colleagues on strike action and turned up to work.
The dilemma for the 62,000 fans who have tickets is now whether to take a chance on the station remaining open until the end of the World Cup qualifier with Andorra.
A spokesperson for London Transport said: “We cannot say what will happen later because it depends on how many staff turn up for the later shifts.
“There is currently a shuttle service on the Metropolitan Line and there is a reduced service on the Jubilee Line, which is not far off a reasonable level of service.
“However, we strongly advise all supporters to check their routes before making their journey.”
The problems have been compounded by London Midland's decision to join Chiltern Railways in not stopping at Wembley Stadium overground because they fear the station will become overcrowded and dangerous.
Mainline services will also not stop at Wembley Central or North Wembley stations after 6pm, a move which will force many supporters to travel to the stadium by car, even though there is a lack of parking in the area.
The situation was described today by the convenor of the London England Fans' Group Mark Perryman as “a national disgrace” and there are growing fears that the bids for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups could be seriously affected.
Perryman argued that more should have been done to help those supporters who still want to attend the game despite the strike.
The Football Association have offered full refunds to any supporters who don't want to risk travelling — and that could cost them £1million — but Perryman said: “The big question is why aren't extra trains being put on? The train companies can make extra dosh and make it a bit more tolerable for the fans.
“Also, why is it an 8.15pm kick-off? I can't see why the viewing figures would be any better than if it had been switched to 7.45pm. Even when the tubes are running, public transport around Wembley is a nightmare. Stadiums around the world cope better than we do. It's a great stadium but it's a nightmare to get in and out of anyway.
“We are being told to expect inconvenience but few alternatives are being suggested. They could do simple things like open public parks, lift some of the car-parking restrictions, put on extra trains or even buses, but none of this has happened.
“I am sure it is no accident that the RMT called the strike on the day of an England game at Wembley.”
Turnstiles will be opening at 5.45pm, with car parks being available in advance of that, and local buses and National Express coaches are going to the stadium.
“We congratulate the FA for offering the refund,” said Malcolm Clarke, chairman of the Football Supporters' Federation.
“But for trains not to be stopping at Wembley Stadium station is rather extraordinary. If the trains are going to be overcrowded, you would think the solution would be to put on more trains, make more money and try to help people.
“Thousands of fans will stay at home and there will be lots of empty seats. It is tempting to say it could only happen in this country.”
Reader views (20)
Both Chiltern Railways and London Midland should have their contracts immediately reviewed. This is typical health and safety nonsense from train companies that don't give a damn about their customers.
- Mick Payne, bletchley UK
25 quid to book a car space near Wembley for a game against Andorra?
Forget it.
Can hardly be called a 'match' can it?
Once Bates's fat fingers got involved in the Mk1 design and the land purchasing was botched, the bad news began.
Anyway, externally, Wembley's an absolute disgrace.
1. It should have been designed to hold 120,000.
2. The Twin Tower demolition was catastrophic.
3. The derelict wasteland perimeter needs completing.
4. There's no visitor shelter provision within a mile.
5. Nationally embarrassing 100 yd queues for the ladies.
6. 'Refreshments' are outragiously priced.
7. Drab grey/black 70s style building exterior.
Should have been white.
Twin towers should have been media centre, to
provide approach gateway bridge/arch!
Interestingly, though, Ruislip has beer as cheap as some northern Working Men's Clubs!
- Dave, Cumbria
Wembley? England? World Cup football? Do me a favour, it'll be the same old refrain when we meet the big boys -on the plane home with wet hankies and hard luck stories.
- Ted, London
Mark Perryman of England Fans wonders why the K/O is 8.15. Two words - "Coronation Street". ITV have to keep the LCDs who exist on a diet of soap operas and reality shows happy.
- Blue Baby, London
I did not know Andorra had a football team still I sure england can beat them!
- Steve, northamptonshire england
Wembley Stadium frequently lay on free buses from the stadium back to Trafalgar Square after concerts, because otherwise not everybody would be able to get home before the tubes close.
Why can't Wembley do this for the match? Oh. Because they have National Express sponsorship, and Nat Ex seem to be doing a brisk trade in selling coach tickets to and from the stadium.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall
Chiltern railway, When you bid for the contract you rubbed your hands at the prospect of all those passengers for events at Wembley. What you do is you plan. You liaise with the police and the FA and Wembley stadium Ltd and you handle the situation. So it will cost money.
You cannot say 'too difficult' and bail out of your contract commitment. When is you have to bid for the contract again?
- Brian, Hounslow, UK
James, London.
If you think unelected Crash Gordon and his cowardly comrades are right wing you're a buffoon. His Stalinist government won't be happy until they're controlling everything we say and do, whilst making sure we carry ID cards (which we will have to pay for and the majority don't want). And they say the parlous BNP are facists (look it up).
- Charlie, Nr. Crackpot, North Yorkshire
This whole business is a mountain out of a molehill. So the trains aren't available for 48 hours. I had a job interview the other side of London arranged for tomorrow. I would have got there, although fortunately the interview was postponed.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington
What is also disgusting and stupid is the whole policy of having all England games at Wembley. They should be playing around the country using the various premiership grounds instead of this stupid ridiculous policy of staying camped at Wembley. The FA are the ones who really deserve to suffer.
- Vivek, London
Its a stupid game of football, who really cares?
- George, Hempstead - Kent
If these England fans stopped moaning and checked the websites then they'll find that TFL are running services that will get them to Wembley.
Jubilee Line is running with only minor delays
Met Line is running reduced servcices from Bakerstreet to Wembley.
From Euston you can get a train to Stonebridge park and then walk for 1 mile.
Stop moaning and believing all the rubbish you are reading in the papers and show some Dunkirk spirit and get on with things.
I'll be at wembley and quite enjoying the prospect of a brisk walk!
- Greg, Wimbledon
Nick Holland, Glasgow
You live in country governed by the SNP a really left wing group, so whats yur peoblem? The fact that you regard this present labour government as left wing defies all logic, they happen to be the most right wing government since mad Maggie was in charge. Perhaps you should turn your attention to Scotland and let the English take care of their own affairs.
- James, london
Let´s keep things in perspective, shall we? So England supporters want to go and watch 22 fully-grown men kicking a bag of wind around. Fine, but don´t exspect that to take priority over more important things.
- Viperpilot, Noord Brabant, Nederland
That Chiltern decision over Wembley Stadium station is ridiculous. That station is the best way for many people from the North West to access the Stadium. To close it smacks of Chiltern simply washing their hands of the problem and leaving it to someone else. And the match is an 8.15 kick off for one reason only — so ITV can show Coronation Street as well as Emmerdale beforehand and still have time for their experts to pontificate between the ads before kick-off. Let's hope they don't miss the winning goal by going to a break!
- Nick Rudd, blackburn, england
Just cancel the game, you know that Crowe's boys will all be at home watching it, it wasn't coincidence they decided to strike today.
- Bob, Cheam
Another good reason why the stadium should have been built in Central England so that everyone stands a chance of getting there. I would love to go to an England qualifier in mid-week but cant afford the rail fare of £90 to London ..plus, as the game doesnt finish until late that means an overnight stay...whereas I could drive to Birmingham and be home around 1am.
Thanks FA.....for FA!
And a National Stadium would probably have cost a damn sight less to build in the Midlands as well.
- Northern Footie Fan, NW England
Nick Holland from Glasgow is wrong to link Bob Crowe with "Good old Labour".
Bob Crow has nothing to do with the Labour Party. He was a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain and then Arthur Scargill’s Socialist Labour Party. He subsequently supported the Socialist Alliance and at last week’s Euro Election he was the lead candidate of the “No to the EU – Yes to Democracy” group in the London constituency, where they came 10th.
- Conorm, London
This is of course why the National Stadium should have been built in the Birmingham area, free from the 'typical Lunnun attitude' from an oaf like Crow. Good old Labour in the 'arms and pay' of the Trade Unions.
- Nick Holland, glasgow
Does anyone know how to go about getting a refund? I can't seem to find any details.....
- Martina, London
